Group 1 Lightning Stakes form, odds and free tips, February 18
THE Group 1 Lightning Stakes is named in honour of unbeaten mare Black Caviar and there are 13 runners looking to emulate the champion this Saturday.
The Flemington feature sprint includes the likes of rising star Spieth and talented top quality three-year-olds Flying Artie and Star Turn.
It’s a hotly-contested betting affair which is only one of nine great races on the card. The C.S. Hayes has attracted a red hot betting field and the Talindert Stakes will be a race to follow this season.
Sign up with Sportsbet.com.au and if your runner finishes second or third in the first three races at Flemington, you will get $50 back in bonus bets.
Race 1 – The Asian Executive Stakes (1400m)
Pure Pride is fresh up after a tidy campaign which featured a placing in the Blazer Stakes. The four-year-old then finished fifth in the Myer Classic behind I Am A Star and that form would take it close in this. Winning strike rate is the only worry, but $3 suggests it has a chance.
Ma Jones has been well backed after opening at $9. The Darren Weir-trained mare is now into $7.50 following its second placing at Flemington last start. It has drawn wide in barrier 11, but it carries only 52kg for this and should be competitive.
Diamond Baroness is in good form having won its last two starts and it has won three from four at this distance. The Ciaron Maher-trained mare scored a good win in this grade last start and it looks a chance at $4.20 despite drifting from $4.
Race 1 tip:Ma Jones to win ($7.50) at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 2 – Japan Racing Association Trophy (1400m)
Zebrinz is out of form, but it made late ground last time out at Caulfield. The Corstens-trained gelding has won one from 11 at this track which is a major concern, but there has been some betting support for it at $6.50 so consider.
Duke Of Brunswick was a strong winner at Caulfield last start and it looks the type that could kick on with it now. The Mick Price-trained gelding was well-backed last start and it has been supported into $2 again. This is its preferred distance and it looks a strong hope.
Charlie Boy is a past winner on this track and it was doing its best work late last start. The Maher-trained six-year-old is looking for dry ground and the small field should suit the $8.50 chance with bookmakers.
Race 2 tip: Duke Of Brunswick to win ($2) at CrownBet.com.au
Race 3 – Singapore Turf Club Trophy (1200m)
Smart Dart pushed Duke Of Brunswick close last start and it’s an extremely consistent type. The Cindy Alderson-trained gelding has been specked at each way odds of $5.50 and it only needs to cope with the tricky draw to feature.
So Si Bon is preparing for longer distances, but the three-year-old has won over this distance and its trial form has been solid. The Robbie Laing-trained colt has form around the likes of Sacred Elixir and Prized Icon, so it must be respected against this line up at $5.
Churchill Dancer needed the run when seventh last start and it should improve nicely. The Lindsay Park gelding ran well in a group one second up last campaign and this is a much easier target. Consider with Jordan Childs taking 1.5kg off its back.
Race 3 tip: So Si Bon to place ($1.90) at Ladbrokes.com.au
Race 4 – Talindert Stakes (1100m)
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Taking Aim has had two starts for two placings and it wasn’t far behind a nice type last start. The Snowden-trained colt finished 1.8 lengths behind Menari and Hugh Bowman takes the ride for this. That’s a bonus and it should run well at $5.
Time Awaits has been backed in from $7.50 into $6 following a last start placing behind Formality. The Tony McEvoy-trained filly was a classy 3.6-length winner on debut so it has good speed and it only needs to jump well from barrier 14 to be in the finish.
Ducimus won well enough on debut to be considered here. The Hawkes-trained colt won by just under a half-length at Ballarat and although this is a lot harder, it’s well-bred and should be considered at each way odds of $9.50.
Race 4 tip: Time Awaits to win (+500) at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 5 – The Tab Vanity (1400m)
Harlow Gold has been backed into $4.60 after opening at $5.50 and that support should be noted. The Lindsay Park-trained filly will get better when it lines up over more ground, but it won its only start at the 1400m and it goes well on this track.
Legless Veuve couldn’t have been more impressive in the Manfred Stakes last start and it looks a good winning chance again. The Stuart Webb-trained filly has a good record second up and it should find taking on this field much easier than last start. $3.20 into $3 in the betting.
Ceylon scored an easy win last start and it’s ready for the big time. The Busuttin/Young-trained filly gets in here with a good weight with Dwayne Dunn riding and despite the drift in the market, it could show some cheek at $9.50.
Race 5 tip: Legless Veuve to win ($3) at CrownBet.com.au
Race 6 – C.S. Hayes Stakes (1400m)
Hey Doc resumed with a handy third in the Manfred Stakes behind Legless Veuve and it will take good benefit from that. The McEvoy-trained gelding looked good when winning the Stutt Stakes last campaign and the betting support from $4.40 to $4 suggests a big run is expected here.
Seaburge is a past winner fresh up and it goes well at Flemington. The Maher-trained colt finished second in the Caulfield Guineas last preparation before running second in the Mackinnon Stakes behind Awesome Rock. That’s strong form and it must be respected at $4.40.
Morton’s Fork is talented at best and it will improve after its most recent outing. The John O’Shea-trained colt rattled off the fastest 400m last start and it should get a great run from barrier two with Craig Williams riding. Handy each way chance at $6.
Race 6 tip: Hey Doc to win ($4) at Bet365.com
Race 7 – Ascot Racecourse Trophy (2000m)
Dodging Bullets has been in good form all campaign which included a good win two back. The Symon Wilde-trained gelding won the Summer Championship over a solid field and it narrowly went down last start. Goes well here and should be considered.
Hursley was the beaten favourite last start, but punters are getting a better price here. The Waller-trained gelding finished fifth as the $2.60 favourite, but it didn’t get the best of rides from Craig Williams who remains in the saddle. Better odds of $6.50 available here.
Crocodile Rock is a European import which scored an impressive win over Sweet Melody last start. The Robert Hickmott-trained gelding looks to have plenty of ability and the Australian-bred stayers simply can’t keep up with the Europeans. Expect more of the same at $1.95.
Race 7 tip: Crocodile Rock to win (-105.26) at Ladbrokes.com.au
Race 8 – Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m)
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Spieth is a quality runner for Bryce Heys, which has been supported at $5. The four-year-old has won five from nine starts and it was only narrowly beaten by Malaguerra in the Darley Classic last start. Hugh Bowman takes over the riding and it’s a good winning chance if it can handle the shorter distance.
Flying Artie is a talented three-year-old which fires fresh up. The Price-trained colt has won two from three fresh up and its win the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington was top notch. It does a few things wrong during the run, but $4.60 suggests it will go close.
Star Turn has plenty of speed and it could lead from the front here. The Hawkes-trained colt was beaten by Flying Artie last start, but it didn’t lose any admirers and its win in the Schillaci Stakes over 1100m as outstanding. Weighted well and it could win at odds of $4.80.
Race 8 tip: Flying Artie to win (+400) at Bet365.com
Race 9 – The Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy (1700m)
Hard Call looked the goods when winning last time out at Moonee Valley and it should adjust to racing at Flemington. The five-year-old has been running well all preparation and it get some weight off its back with Childs in the saddle. $5.50 in the betting so respect.
Divine Mr Artie will be hoping to bounce back after a poor showing at Caulfield last start. The Brendan McCarthy-trained gelding has won and placed on this track which is ideal and its best efforts come on dry ground. The inside draw helps and Williams rides.
Gervais defeated the highly-touted Crocodile Rock two back and it fought well behind Hipparchus last start. The Danny O’Brien-trained gelding carries a luxury weight of 54kg here which is ideal and we’re expecting a good effort at each way odds.
Race 9 tip: Divine Mr Artie to win ($4.80) at WilliamHill.com.au