The Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning was billed as a battle between the top three-year-old colts, but it was the fillies who dominated the 1000m sprint at Flemington.
Chris Waller’s Switzerland entered the race as the heavily backed $2.45 favourite with betting apps, while Growing Empire was considered the main challenger at $3.80.
Although the colts fought hard, it was the fillies who had the last say in the closing stages.
Skybird ($26), guided by John Allen, surged past her rivals to claim a stunning one-length victory over Stretan Angel ($21). Benedetta ($8.50) finished third, 1-¾ lengths behind, narrowly beating Switzerland.
The late scratchings of Mornington Glory and I Am Me changed the complexion of the race, but Skybird thrived in the Soft 7 track conditions following race-day rainfall.
Trainer Mitchell Freedman celebrated his second Group 1 victory, having previously claimed the 2023 Toorak Handicap with Attrition.
Freedman had debated whether to run Skybird in the weight-for-age event or wait for the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield the following week.
After experimenting with longer distances as a three-year-old, Freedman is now committed to keeping Skybird in sprints, with the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on March 8 shaping as her next assignment.
“There were several signs pointing to her being a sprinter,” Freedman said.
“Not just her genetic profile, but also how she works at home.
“We’ve always believed she had natural speed, and now that she’s matured, we wanted to get her back to these distances.
“There are three key sprints in Melbourne—this, the Oakleigh Plate leading into the Newmarket, and then the William Reid Stakes.
“We’ll follow this path for now, and Adelaide is also an option.
“We’ll assess how she recovers before making final decisions.”
Skybird’s win marked the first Group 1 success for her sire, Exosphere, who finished fourth behind Chautauqua in the Lightning Stakes in 2016.
For Allen, the victory snapped a Group 1 drought, his last coming aboard Ruthless Dame in the 2023 Sangster Stakes at Morphettville.
“I couldn’t believe how well she was traveling,” Allen said.
“I was tracking Switzerland, ready to follow him through, but she was going so smoothly that I decided to shift and find my own run.
“She accelerated brilliantly and sealed the race instantly. From the halfway point, she felt unbeatable.”
“It’s been a while since my last Group 1 win, so it’s great to get another here at Flemington.”
