The Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes has attracted an outstanding field of sprinters in the feature race at headquarters on Saturday but there are plenty of other quality races on the day.
Our full 2022 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes Day Tips & Preview can be found below.
Preview brought to you by Neds. Learn more about Neds HERE.
Race 1: Benchmark 84 Handicap (2000m) – 12:40pm
Tip: No. 5 Crystal Pegasus
Crystal Pegasus makes his way down from Sydney and a last start win over 2000m at Rosehill.
The son of Australia has been consistent throughout his whole career, placing in 11 of 17 career starts and he has four wins from seven starts at 2000m.
James McDonald piloted the horse in his last start and he retains the ride here.
Race 2: Benchmark 84 Handicap (1600m) – 1:15pm
Tip: No. 5 Tuvalu
Tuvalu is a lightly raced gelding who has untapped potential at this stage in his career.
He could not have been much more impressive when winning by 3.5 lengths first up at Warrnambool over 1400m.
The Lindsey Smith trained horse is yet to finish outside the top two in six career race starts and he will take plenty of improvement out of that first up win.
Race 3: Benchmark 78 Handicap (1600m) – 1:50pm
Tip: No. 1 Centimental
Centimental makes her way up from Sydney off the back of a dominant three length win at Rosehill in benchmark 72 last time out.
The daughter of Snitzel has finished in the top two in 12 of 21 career starts and five of her last six.
She has drawn to get a nice run in transit from barrier six and the apprentice will give some weight relief.
Race 4: Listed Talindert Stakes (1100m) – 2:25pm
Tip: No. 4 Rakomelo
Rakomelo made his racing debut in the Kirkham Plate at Royal Randwick in October where he was beaten less than 2.5 lengths behind Ojai.
The son of Lonhro ran into one better when first up in the Group 3 Canonbury Stakes at Rosehill but he chased home the winner well.
He has a tricky gate to overcome but the blinkers have been added for the first time which should sharpen him up.
Race 5: Group 3 Vanity (1400m) – 3:05pm
Tip: No. 5 Barb Raider
Barb Raider is a very interesting runner in the Group 3 The Vanity on Saturday.
She put together back to back wins including the Oaks Trial at Flemington before finishing third in the Thousand Guineas behind Yearning.
The 1400m is short of her ideal distance but a recent trial win suggests she is ready to fire first up.
Race 6: Group 3 C.S Hayes Stakes (1400m) – 3:45pm
Tip: No. 2 Forgot You
We can’t let Forgot You go around at double figures and not have something on can we?
This is short of his ideal distance but he has shown a sharp turn of foot in the past and is a proven performer at the top level.
The fact that he has a trial win leading into this first up assignment in the CS Hayes Stakes and the blinkers have been added first up has me bullish about his chances each way.
Race 7: Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m) – 4:25pm
Tip: No. 1 Nature Strip
What an outstanding edition of the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes we have down the famous Flemington straight on Saturday.
I have star sprinter Nature Strip on top but you can find my full 2022 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes Tips RIGHT HERE
Race 8: Listed The Elms Handicap (1400m) – 5:05pm
Tip: No. 8 Mr Brightside
Mr Brightside might just be one of the most progressive horses in the country and he went from strength to strength during his last campaign.
Six wins in a row earned him a shot at the Group 2 Kennedy Cantala where he was narrowly denied in a tight finish behind Superstorm.
This is a competitive race and while I do think he will improve on whatever he produces first up, he is still very much a winning chance.
Also named this week as one of the confirmed Top 10 vote-getters for the $5 million The All-Star Mile in March if you want him in futures better for that!
Race 9: Benchmark 84 Handicap (1200m) – 5:40pm
Tip: Boxed Trifecta 3/4/10/11/12