2019 Lightning Stakes Day: Tips and Betting Strategy
IT is Group 1 Lightning Stakes Day at Flemington on Saturday and Horse Betting HQ is abuzz ahead of the sprint trip.
The nine race card is littered with quality racing and our team of experts has delivered the betting strategy ahead of Saturday.
Take a look at our tips below.
*All odds were provided by our trusted online bookmakers and were correct at the time of publication
Race 1 – BM84 (1600m)
Mountain Breath comes into this race second-up after a disappointing resumption but there are a few things in the Chris Waller-trained mare’s favour.
The four-year-old British import has two wins from three starts at this point in the preparation and drops 2.5kg on the last-start fifth.
Expect a sharply improved Mountain Breath at Flemington on Saturday.
Mountain Breath is at $4.60 via online bookmaker Ladbrokes
[rmOC_events_list event_ids=1218538_01]
Race 2 – BM84 (2000m)
Star runner Schabau is hunting a fourth-straight win in just his second Australian start.
The former German galloper delivered on debut, winning at benchmark 70 level at Flemington on New Year’s Day, and while this is a step up in class he drops 2.5kg.
Back Schabau in with confidence.
Schabau is at $1.90 via online bookmaker Ladbrokes
[rmOC_events_list event_ids=1218538_02]
Race 3 – BM90 (1200m)
Mystyko is hunting a fourth-straight win and looks beautifully placed to keep the streak alive.
Slowly making his way through the grades, the gelding looks ready to peak at the home of racing in Victoria. The five-year-old returns to Flemington for the first time since a failure but we think he can bounce back sharply at Racing HQ.
Mystyko is at $5.50 via online bookmaker Sportsbet
[rmOC_events_list event_ids=1218538_03]
Race 4 – Talindert Stakes (1100m)
Godolphin gun Microphone is looking to get back on track after a disappointing second in the Blue Diamond Stakes Preview to I Am Immortal.
As it turns out the form out of the race is pretty good with I Am Immortal subsequently winning the Group 3 Blue Diamond Stakes Prelude, so Microphone should be far too class for this field in a winnable race for the boy in blue.
Mystyko is at $5.50 via online bookmaker Sportsbet
[rmOC_events_list event_ids=1218538_04]
Race 5 – The Vanity Stakes (1400m)
Ex-Kiwi Verry Elleegant resumes after a disappointing showing in the last two starts prior to a brilliant pair of runs after crossing the Tasman.
The classy filly gets James McDonald aboard and while barrier 11 is slightly wide we think gun prospect is more than capable of winning this event.
Verry Elleegant is at $9.50 via online bookmaker Bet 365 to win the Vanity Stakes
[rmOC_events_list event_ids=1218538_05]
Race 6 – Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy (1600m)
Heptagon is looking to go back-to-back after a strong showing at Caulfield last start and looks well placed to deliver.
The horse returns to Flemington after a 2.3 length win on February 2 and gets back to Racing HQ looking to go one better after a short head loss to Bad Wolf. He drops half a kilo following the Caulfield win.
Heptagon is at $4 via online bookmaker Topbetta to win with their special Flemington promotion
[rmOC_events_list event_ids=1218538_06]
Race 7 – CS Hayes Stakes (1400m)
Adana should be ready to peak after a brave second placing behind Vegadaze at Rosehill at benchmark 72 level.
The horse confronts Flemington for the second time following a sixth placed finish in the Carbine Stakes, which will be greatly beneficial on Saturday. Back Adana in to break through in Melbourne.
Adana is at $5.50 via online bookmaker Topbetta
[rmOC_events_list event_ids=1218538_07]
Race 8 – Lightning Stakes (1100m)
We love Sunlight at HBHQ and we’re backing her in to deliver again down the straight at Flemington.
The sprinting champ is resuming after a brilliant win in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes and the McEvoy filly has a great record of a win and two placings from three first-up attempts.
The sun should be shining brightly on Saturday.
Sunlight is at $4 to win via our trusted online bookmakers
[rmOC_events_list event_ids=1218538_08]
Race 9 – Japan Racing Association Handicap (1400m)
Godolphin runner Flow is third-up and after placing twice from four attempts we think he is ready to deliver.
After finishing sixth in a resumption at Doomben Flow followed that up with a second placing behind cult figure Tom Melbourne in the Listed Carrington Stakes at Randwick.
Barrier 16 is a concern but we’re confident Cummings will find the right Flow on Saturday.
Flow is $5.50 via our trusted online bookmakers
[rmOC_events_list event_ids=1218538_09]