Group 1 racing returns to HQ on Saturday, and the Black Caviar Lightning headlines a strong nine-race program!
Nature Strip makes his eagerly awaited return to the races in the feature, but the entire Black Caviar Lightning field is dripping with talent, and also includes the likes of I Wish I Win, Bella Nipotina and Coolangatta.
You can find my complete 2023 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes Day Tips below.
Wishlor Lass puts an unbeaten record on the line in the first at Flemington on Saturday, but I am going to take her on with Daily Bugle.
Daily Bugle has returned some smart performances in four starts since being gelded, winning at Sandown first-up and only just missing in decent company at the Australia Day Races most notably.
He takes his place this week in peak order and drawn ideally, and we can have an each way play at the price ($17 at publish).
I’m sticking with Climbing Star second-up in The Vanity.
Climbing Star stamped herself as one to watch during her brief debut preparation in spring, winning at Cranbourne and only just missing in both the Moonee Valley Fillies Classic and the Inglis Bracelet.
She finished midfield in the Manfred Stakes when resuming this time, but I am confident that she will enjoy plenty of improvement for that effort, and getting further out in trip.
Amur is another galloper that puts an unbeaten record on the line on Black Caviar Lightning Stakes Day, and I am confident that he will keep it alive.
The Snitzel colt didn’t show a whole lot at the public trials prior to debuting, but he put the writing on the wall with an eye-catching win at The Valley on Christmas Eve, and repeated the dose in a similar race second-up.
This harder, but it certainly doesn’t look beyond him, and the booking of James McDonald this week adds further confidence.
Arran Bay is probably unlucky not to have won more than one race this time in, and he gets another chance on Black Caviar Lightning Stakes Day.
The All Too Hard gelding struck over a mile at Pakenham back in November, and has been denied by only one runner at each of his last two.
A return to Flemington this week is a big tick for him, and I think that the 2000m will also prove ideal at peak fitness.
The talented Annavisto resumes in Race 5 at HQ on Saturday, and it looks a perfect launchpad for her.
The Reliable Man mare was excellent throughout her last campaign, winning the Frances Tressady Stakes here most notably, while also finishing second behind an impressive Nimalee in the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf.
She’s been set some similarly lofty targets this time in, and can begin her campaign in style.
This is an excellent edition of the CS Hayes Stakes, and a great indication as to the depth to expect in the forthcoming Australian Guineas.
With a case to be made for a few of them, I’m pretty keen to find one at a price, and I think that Tasmanian raider Bello Beau can have an impact at around the $16 mark (at publish).
Bello Beau won each of his first three starts back this time, while only just missing in the Tasmanian Guineas in January.
He takes his place in this race after finishing a credible sixth behind some talented horses in an open grade sprint, and I am confident that his fitness edge over several key rivals this week puts him in good stead. We can have an each way play at the price.
It’s always a highlight of the early autumn, and some of the world’s best sprinters have been confirmed in the 2023 Black Caviar Lightning field.
I’ve put superstar Nature Strip on top, but check out my full race preview and complete 2023 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes Tips RIGHT HERE.
The old warhorse Dalasan goes around first-up in the penultimate race at Flemington, and I’m keen to have a play at a price! ($14 at publish).
It had been a long time between drinks for the talented son of Dalakhani when he stepped out first-up in the Leon Macdonald Stakes at Morphettville back in August, but he wound back the clock with an impressive performance and win.
He continues to prove that he is still more than up to competing in Australasia’s best races and recently, his best performances have come in the early stages of his campaigns. With James McDonald booked to ride this week, it looks another great first-up target for him.
A tough way to end the day from a betting perspective and with a case to be made for many, I thought that a horse like Sacred Palace looked a bit of value ($9 at publish).
Sacred Palace needed his first run back when sixth of seven starters at Sandown first-up this time, but he finished off well in BM84 company at The Valley last time out.
Fitter third-up, he’s been decent down the straight previously and has each way claims.