Flemington Tips for Black Caviar Lightning Stakes 2024

Punters were blessed last week with the return of Group 1 racing and the preparation debut of superstar Mr Brightside.

The best miler in the country duly saluted and now we move our attention to arguably the best sprinter in the world ‘Imperatriz’.

The New Zealand sprinting sensation has her first run ahead of an Autumn campaign in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes up the famous Flemington straight.

She currently is the $1.90 favourite to return as a winner ahead of fellow Group 1 winners ‘Private Eye’ ($5) and ‘Bella Nipotina’ ($7).

3yos ‘I Am Unstoppable’ and ‘Cylinder’ provide plenty of interest to the race stepping up to Weight-For-Age class for the first time.

Intriguing contest, let’s dive into it and dissect the form.

 

 

Track Conditions

The track is currently rated as a Good 4 and with no rain forecasted, there is a solid chance it will end up as a Good 3.

The running rail is in the True position and will mean that the track will play fairly throughout the day.

 

Flemington Race 8 – Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m)

The Map

Should be a comfortable and controlled pace set by The Astrologist (7), who is the only recognised front-runner in the race.

Imperatriz (2) with Opie Bosson aboard will either go up to join The Astrologist or settle in behind.

Look for Private Eye (8) and Bella Nipotina (6) to be following the pace and not wanting to give the NZ superstar too big of a start.

3yos I Am Unstoppable (3) and Cylinder (5) will also look to settle just off the pace.

While Espiona (4) will snag back to the rear and look to charge over the top of them late.

 

 

The Favourite

Much like ‘Mr Brightside’ last week, it is awfully hard to go past one of the best racehorses in world and the world’s best sprinter Imperatriz.

She has dominated on Australian shores, in a variety of ways and over different sprinting distances.

She's tactically versatile and can win on-pace or get back in the field and fly home over the top of them.

She has won up the Flemington straight and also first-up at this distance at Moonee Valley last preparation.

From her 6 first up runs, she has only been beaten once and is looking for her sixth straight victory here.

The one minor knock is that while she had a solid jump out at Mornington, her most recent trial at Cranbourne was a little underwhelming.

Despite that, it's hard to go against her class and she ticks too many boxes to take on even at the short odds.

 

Tips

Made the mistake of doubting a superstar last week and not doing it again here.

Imperatriz can return as a winner and continue her winning run in style.

 

 

The good bet to have in the race is Bella Nipotina looking to go one better after last year..

She was half a length off winning this race behind ‘Coolangatta’ and ‘I Wish I Win’ with those formlines being quality against this field.

She looked very impressive in her jump outs and trials at Cranbourne, beating home ‘I Am Unstoppable’ and ‘Imperatriz’.

Will get a good run in the race and is a big danger.

 

Private Eye is right in this contest as well.

The 6yo has 4 wins from 8 first-up runs and has a knack of popping up and winning when being counted out.

He will be flashing home at the end.

 

3yo I Am Unstoppable was superb in the same trial as Imperatriz and Bella Nipotina recently.

He looks to have come back in outstanding order.

He loves running up the Flemington straight and will be motoring to the line late.

 

1. Imperatriz
2. Bella Nipotina
3. Private Eye
4. I Am Unstoppable

 

Access more betting tips for Saturday racing here.