The 2016 Lightning Stakes, renamed the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes, is the first sprinting race of the Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival and is a premier weight-for-age event. As a 1000m race, there are no turns and horses just battle it out on the straight of the Flemington race rack.
The $750,000 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes is the only 1000m Group 1 race held in Australia and since 2005 it has been the first leg of the Global Sprint Challenge. The ideal lead-up races to the Lightning Stakes are the Group 3 Rubition Stakes (1200m) and the Group 2 Carlyon Stakes (1200m).
The date that the 2016 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes will be run on is Saturday 20th of February 2016.
| Lightning Stakes | |
|---|---|
| Date: | Saturday 20th of February 2016 |
| Track: | Flemington Racecourse |
| Distance: | 1000m |
| Race Type: | Weight-For-Age |
| Status: | Group 1 |
| Prize Money: | $750,000 |
Black Caviar Lightning Stakes Field
The Black Caviar Lightning Stakes field will be provided below.
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1213x1112x | CHAUTAUQUA | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Dwayne Dunn | 2 | 58.5kg | 115 |
| 2 | 1x330x173x | TERRAVISTA | Joseph Pride | Damien Oliver | 6 | 58.5kg | 112 |
| 3 | 7139x6241x | DELECTATION | Chris Waller | Craig Williams | 7 | 58.5kg | 112 |
| 4 | 540x25x20x | VA PENSIERO | Jason Coyle | – | 4 | 58.5kg | 100 |
| 5 | x110x1114x | EXOSPHERE | John O’Shea | James McDonald | 1 | 55.5kg | 108 |
| 6 | 5x1111431x | JAPONISME | Chris Waller | Glyn Schofield | 5 | 55.5kg | 106 |
| 7 | 21x16x | KINGLIKE | Peter G Moody | Damian Lane | 3 | 55.5kg | 86 |
Black Caviar Lightning Stakes Nominations
The Black Caviar Lightning Stakes nominations will be published here.
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Ballot | Weight | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1213x1112x | CHAUTAUQUA | G | 5 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | 1 | 58.5kg | 115 |
| 2 | 1x330x173x | TERRAVISTA | G | 6 | Joseph Pride | 2 | 58.5kg | 112 |
| 3 | 7139x6241x | DELECTATION | G | 4 | Chris Waller | 3 | 58.5kg | 112 |
| 4 | x110x1114x | EXOSPHERE | C | 3 | John O’Shea | 4 | 55.5kg | 108 |
| 5 | x221x3223x | BALL OF MUSCLE | G | 5 | Joseph Pride | 5 | 58.5kg | 106 |
| 6 | 5x1111431x | JAPONISME | G | 3 | Chris Waller | 6 | 55.5kg | 106 |
| 7 | 215x5311x6 | ECLAIR CHOICE | G | 4 | Phillip Stokes | 7 | 58.5kg | 105 |
| 8 | 135x7948x1 | HEADWATER | C | 3 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | 8 | 55.5kg | 96 |
| 9 | 40x112112x | KEEN ARRAY | G | 3 | David Hayes & Tom Dabernig | 9 | 55.5kg | 94 |
| 10 | 447x1513x3 | COUNTERATTACK | C | 3 | Chris Waller | 10 | 55.5kg | 90 |
| 11 | 21x16x | KINGLIKE | C | 3 | Peter G Moody | 11 | 55.5kg | 86 |
| 12 | 540x25x20x | VA PENSIERO | H | 5 | Jason Coyle | 12 | 58.5kg | 100 |
| 13 | 538x13641x | VEZALAY | M | 4 | Leon & Troy Corstens | 13 | 56.5kg | 95 |
| 14 | 3x685382x4 | SWEET EMILY | M | 5 | Phil Sweeney | 14 | 56.5kg | 81 |
| 15 | 8x152x1 | BROCKHOFF | C | 3 | Ciaron Maher | 15 | 55.5kg | 73 |
Lightning Stakes History
First won by Gay Vista in 1955, the Lightning Stakes has attracted plenty of standout horses, jockeys and trainers. Bart Cummings has won the event a record eight times with Storm Queen in 1967, Century in 1974, Cap D’antibes in 1975, Maybe Mahal in 1977-78, Demus in 1983, Hula Chief in 1986 and Shaftsbury Avenue in 1991.
Jockey Harry White has won the Lightning Stakes on top of four horses, The Judge in 1979, Cap D’antibes in 1975, Zambari in 1972 and Black Onyx in 1970. Damien Oliver has also won four Lightning Stakes races with three horses; Schillaci in 1992-93, Gold Ace in 1996 and Testa Rossa in 2000. There have also been plenty of double winners starting with Sky High in 1961-62, Wenona Girl in 1963-64, Maybe Mahal in 1977-78, River Rough in 1984-85 and Schillci in 1992-93.
In 1980, the Lightning Stakes became a Group 2 race and then seven years later in 1987 it was elevated to Group 1 status. Since 1988, the slowest winning time was recorded by General Nediym in 1998 with 57.9 seconds. The fastest time was 55.5 seconds by Special in 1988.
The Lightning Stakes has been renamed the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes in honour of champion sprinter Black Caviar.
Recent Lightning Stakes Winners
| Year | Place | Horse | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes |
1st | Chautauqua | 57.02 seconds |
| 2nd | TBD | ||
| 3rd | TBD | ||
| 2015 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes |
1st | Lankan Rupee | 56.29 seconds |
| 2nd | Brazen Beau | ||
| 3rd | Deep Field | ||
| 2014 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes |
1st | Snitzerland | 57.16 seconds |
| 2nd | Shamexpress | ||
| 3rd | Samaready | ||
| 2013 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes |
1st | Black Caviar | 55.42 seconds |
| 2nd | Moment Of Change | ||
| 3rd | Golden Archer | ||
| 2012 Lightning Stakes |
1st | Black Caviar | 55.53 seconds |
| 2nd | Hay List | ||
| 3rd | Buffering | ||
| 2011 Lightning Stakes |
1st | Black Caviar | 57.20 seconds |
| 2nd | Hay List | ||
| 3rd | Warm Love | ||
| 2010 Lightning Stakes |
1st | Nicconi | 57.12 seconds |
| 2nd | Wanted | ||
| 3rd | Shellscrape | ||
| 2009 Lightning Stakes |
1st | Scenic Blast | 56.9 seconds |
| 2nd | Typhoon Zed | ||
| 3rd | Grand Duels | ||
| 2008 Lightning Stakes |
1st | Apache Cat | 57.3 seconds |
| 2nd | Swick | ||
| 3rd | Stanzout | ||
| 2007 Lightning Stakes |
1st | Miss Andretti | 57.2 seconds |
| 2nd | Magnus | ||
| 3rd | Ticklish | ||
| 2006 Lightning Stakes |
1st | Takeover Target | 56.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Gods Own | ||
| 3rd | Cape Of Good Hope | ||
| 2005 Lightning Stakes |
1st | Fastnet Rock | 57.3 seconds |
| 2nd | Alinghi | ||
| 3rd | Cape Of Good Hope | ||
| 2004 Lightning Stakes |
1st | Regimental Gal | 57 seconds |
| 2nd | Our Egyptian Raine | ||
| 3rd | Mistegic | ||
| 2003 Lightning Stakes |
1st | Choisir | 56.9 seconds |
| 2nd | Spinning Hill | ||
| 3rd | Azevedo | ||
| 2002 Lightning Stakes |
1st | Spinning Hill | 57.1 seconds |
| 2nd | Mistegic | ||
| 3rd | Chong Tong | ||
| 2001 Lightning Stakes |
1st | Sports | 57 seconds |
| 2nd | Black Bean | ||
| 3rd | Easy Rocking | ||
| 2000 Lightning Stakes |
1st | Testa Rossa | 56 seconds |
| 2nd | Falvelon | ||
| 3rd | Magic Music | ||