Lightning Stakes – 2021

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

A quality field of eight runners have accepted for this years $750,000 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes.  The field is made up of four geldings, one entire, two mares plus two three year-old fillies who ran the quinella in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at the end of October.   Chris Waller is the only trainer with multiple runners in this years race.  The early favourite is Bivouac.  He has won three Group 1’s which includes a dominant three length victory in the VRC Sprint Classic here at his last start.  The second favourite is Nature Strip.  He has four Group 1’s to his name but raced well below his best in the spring.  Once again he has up trialed well and has a new jockey, Jamie Kah, this time around.

September Run has shown a real liking to this course and will be looking to make if a perfect four from four down the famous Flemington straight. Fabergino has race fitness on her opposition – she is the only horse that isn’t first up and has won her last two races here.  Pippie has speed to burn and is a first up specialist.  Elite Street won the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes at his last start and has won three of four over this distance.  Swat’s That chased Nature Strip in a recent jump out and looks to have returned in good order.  Halvorsen is the rank outsider.

1. Nature Strip

Nature Strip is a 4 time Group 1 winner with speed to burn.  He raced well below his best during the spring but if he can recapture his old form will take a power of running down.  The booking of leading hoop Jamie Kah only enhances his chances.

2. Bivouac

Resumes.  Ran a game second behind Classique Legend in the Everest and then bolted in over 1200m in the VRC Sprint Classic.  Unproven at 1000m but he loves racing at Flemington and is the one they have to beat.

3. Elite Street

Lightly raced WA visitor who has won his last 3 including the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes in November.  This is his toughest assignment yet.

4. Halvorsen

Andrew Mallyon comes down from Queensland to ride Halvorsen who he has won on multiple times before.  He was okay when resuming in the Kensington Stakes but this is harder.

5. Pippie

First up specialist who won the Moir Stakes in September.  She will be up on speed making her own luck.

6. Fabergino

The second of the WA horses in this years race.  She has won her last two races which were here at Flemington and is a 1000m specialist.

7. September Run

Resumes on the back of three very impressive wins at this track during the spring – including the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes.  Settled off the pace and was not asked to do much in both her recent Rosehill trials.  Look for her sprouting wings late.

8. Swats That

Lightly raced galloper having just her 7th start.  She finished in the top 2 at all 4 runs last preparation.  Yet to beat September Run but may be more suited than her over 1000m.  Has claims.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Groupc 3 CS Hayes Stakes (Flemington 1400m)

Group 3 The Vanity (Flemington 1400m)