A crack field has been assembled for the Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) this Saturday at Flemington, where the three year olds dominate betting.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2025 Black Caviar Lightning.
2025 Black Caviar Lightning Runner Preview:
1. Mazu: Mazu is one I can entertain for exotics. He reusmes for Joe Pride, having not raced since the Russell Balding on Golden Eagle Day when back and worked to the line well enough in defeat behind Bella Nipotina. Trialled well to my eye, drawn the right part of the track…he can run top four.
2. Mornington Glory: 1000m horse in a 1000m race = gold. He is the 1000m specialist here and is a Group l winner at the trip. Most of these have eyes on the Newmarket but this guy has eyes solely on this. Definite overs.
3. Joyful Fortune: Stable have done a great job with him to get him back to the races and his return was a beauty, but just not thinking he is up to these.
4. Way To The Stars: This could be Fab Fevola 2.0. Lead by 4-5 and be in front 200m out, but on the line, beaten a runner or two home. He’ll give an almighty sight but just lacks the class.
5. Philosopher: Did they find a key to him? They rode with a sit in the Adams at Sandown and he reacted, spanking them. Flying, but this is different gravy.
6. I Am Me: I am stunned she is the price she is. She’s a good mare…but not a proper Group l mare IMO. Blessed in the run when winning in the Spring but when she came to the big boys, she didn’t fire, and with a hot tempo here, I think she’ll be gasping for air the final 200m.
7. Benedetta: I am very interested in her as a knockout hope. Of those that jumped out here last week, I thought she looked the pick of them the way she found the line and lengthened. Has eyes on the Newmarket but she looks to be flying, will be strong late…definite chance.
8. Stretan Angel: Similar to Benedetta. Has eyes on the Newmarket but keep in mind that last start, she ran out of her skin in the Champions Sprint. Stable have poured cold water on her but they can get them to fire fresh so for mine, she’s one at odds to be entertained for exotics.
9. Skybird: She is an outsider already, but for mine, she should be the clear rank outsider. For mine, she’s overrated and not up to these.
10. Growing Empire: Growing Empire is a star colt and I think he’ll make a statement as the best 3YO sprinter in Australia with a win here. He did an outstanding job in the Spring, but what I will say is that he was ridden warm for the most part, where you compare to first, where he was ridden with a sit, he looked like Black Caviar. Both trials this time in, they have deliberately rode him cold to find the line and chase. I think if that is the way they ride him here, I think good luck beating him.
11. Switzerland: Switzerland is the best 3YO sprinter in Australia as it stands right now given what he did to them in the Coolmore where he gave them a start and a beating to bolt up and smash the clock. I will say though, his trial work has been nothing to jump up and down about, but Waller horses can do that in trials. He has to be respected. Do I want to back him as favourite? No, I’d want $6+.
12. Traffic Warden: The stable are going awful but with these colts, they are desperate to get the G1, especially at WFA. He didn’t quite get there in the Spring and he can get a bee in his bonnet but his trial/jumpout work has been very good.
2025 Black Caviar Lightning $100 Betting Strategy:
I’m very keen Growing Empire. $100 Win BOB via Topsport.
Group l Strategy Outlay: $3300
Group l Strategy Return: $1687
2025 Black Caviar Lightning Odds
2025 Black Caviar Lightning Speed Map
The speed looks red hot here. Philosopher and Way To The Stars only know one way to run…very fast. Joyful Fortune likes to run in front so the tempo will be strong late. Depending on the track pattern, the three year olds could get the ideal map, namely Switzerland and Growing Empire.
