The Lightning Stakes, renamed the Black Caviar Lightning, 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. A possible lead-up to the Lightning Stakes is Caulfield’s Group 2 Rubition Stakes (1200m) on C.F. Orr Stakes Day a fortnight earlier, but many runners take to the track first-up.
The Black Caviar Lightning serves as a nice autumn racing guide to the upcoming Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) the following month back at Flemington and Black Caviar (2011) was the last to complete the double.
The date that the 2017 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes ran on Saturday February 18, 2017.
| Black Caviar Lightning Stakes | |
|---|---|
| Date: | Saturday February 18, 2017 |
| Track: | Flemington Racecourse |
| Distance: | 1000m |
| Race Type: | Weight-For-Age |
| Status: | Group 1 |
| Prize Money: | $750,000 |
2017 Black Caviar Lightning Results
View the official 2017 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes Results & Finishing Order below – following the link for a full rundown on the upset win by veteran sprinter Terravista.
| Place | # | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Br. | Wgt. | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | TERRAVISTA | Joseph Pride | Corey Brown | – | 8 | 58.5kg | $15 |
| 2 | 7 | SPIETH (NZ) | Bryce Heys | Hugh Bowman | 0.1L | 5 | 58.5kg | $6 |
| 3 | 12 | STAR TURN | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Dwayne Dunn | 0.2L | 2 | 55.5kg | $4 |
| 4 | 2 | FLAMBERGE | Darren Weir | Brad Rawiller | 0.3L | 1 | 58.5kg | $41 |
| 5 | 5 | ILLUSTRIOUS LAD | Peter Gelagotis | Anthony Darmanin | 0.8L | 7 | 58.5kg | $21 |
| 6 | 10 | HEATHERLY | Mathew Ellerton & Simon Zahra | Damian Lane | 2.05L | 3 | 56.5kg | $9 |
| 7 | 11 | FLYING ARTIE | Mick Price | Damien Oliver | 2.25L | 4 | 55.5kg | $3.60F |
| 8 | 4 | COUNTERATTACK | Chris Waller | Mark Zahra | 2.65L | 6 | 58.5kg | $21 |
| 9 | 8 | SUPIDO | Michael Kent | Luke Nolen | 3.65L | 9 | 58.5kg | $9 |
| SB | 6 | FAATINAH | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Regan Bayliss | – | 10 | 58.5kg | |
| SB | 3 | THE QUARTERBACK | Robbie Griffiths | Matthew Allen | – | 11 | 58.5kg | |
| SB | 9 | ORUJO | Shawn Mathrick | Noel Callow | – | 12 | 58.5kg | |
| – | 13 | MISSROCK | Robbie Laing | Craig Williams | – | 0 | – |
Black Caviar Lightning Odds
The latest Black Caviar Lightning Stakes betting odds will be available below the week of the race complete with market links to Ladbrokes.com.au.
Black Caviar Lightning Stakes Field
The Black Caviar Lightning Stakes field will be provided below as soon as released by Racing Victoria the Wednesday before the race.
Check out the official 2017 2017 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes Final Field & Barrier Draw below – clicking on the link for more on the acceptors including the rails-drawn Flamberge and smart mare Heatherly.
| # | Form (Last 10) | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Br. | Wgt. | Hcp. Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 73x296x20x | TERRAVISTA | Joseph Pride | Corey Brown | 9 | 58.5kg | 112 |
| 2 | x1100x98x4 | FLAMBERGE | Darren Weir | Brad Rawiller | 1 | 58.5kg | 112 |
| 3 | 61539x146x | THE QUARTERBACK | Robbie Griffiths | Matthew Allen | 12 | 58.5kg | 110 |
| 4 | 5217x2602x | COUNTERATTACK | Chris Waller | TBA | 6 | 58.5kg | 102 |
| 5 | 5121x1212x | ILLUSTRIOUS LAD | Peter Gelagotis | Anthony Darmanin | 8 | 58.5kg | 105 |
| 6 | 15x16225x7 | FAATINAH | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Regan Bayliss | 11 | 58.5kg | 101 |
| 7 | 7x0111x12x | SPIETH (NZ) | Bryce Heys | Hugh Bowman | 5 | 58.5kg | 108 |
| 8 | x1x11x113x | SUPIDO | Michael Kent | Luke Nolen | 10 | 58.5kg | 100 |
| 9 | 720143x40x | ORUJO | Shawn Mathrick | TBA | 13 | 58.5kg | 85 |
| 10 | 31113x132x | HEATHERLY | Mathew Ellerton & Simon Zahra | Damian Lane | 3 | 56.5kg | 107 |
| 11 | 2x123x11x | FLYING ARTIE | Mick Price | Damien Oliver | 4 | 55.5kg | 110 |
| 12 | x256x1213x | STAR TURN | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Dwayne Dunn | 2 | 55.5kg | 107 |
| 13 | 9x1x66735x | MISSROCK | Robbie Laing | Craig Williams | 7 | 53.5kg | 81 |
Black Caviar Lightning Stakes Nominations
The Black Caviar Lightning Stakes nominations will be published here the Monday of race week.
Check out the official 2017 Black Caviar Lightning Nominations below and follow the link for a full rundown of the nominated hopefuls including gun three-year-olds Flying Artie and Star Turn.
| # | Form (Last 10) | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Hcp. Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5217x2602x | COUNTERATTACK | H | 4 | Chris Waller | 102 |
| 2 | 15x16225x7 | FAATINAH | G | 4 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 101 |
| 3 | 42156x323x | FELL SWOOP | G | 5 | Matthew Dale | 109 |
| 4 | x1100x98x4 | FLAMBERGE | G | 7 | Darren Weir | 112 |
| 5 | 2x123x11x | FLYING ARTIE | C | 3 | Mick Price | 110 |
| 6 | 31113x132x | HEATHERLY | M | 4 | Mathew Ellerton & Simon Zahra | 107 |
| 7 | 5121x1212x | ILLUSTRIOUS LAD | G | 5 | Peter Gelagotis | 105 |
| 8 | 1L0x55402x | MISS PROMISCUITY | M | 6 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 99 |
| 9 | 9x1x66735x | MISSROCK | F | 3 | Robbie Laing | 81 |
| 10 | 720143x40x | ORUJO | G | 5 | Shawn Mathrick | 85 |
| 11 | 27x421152x | SHEIDEL | M | 5 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 107 |
| 12 | 7x0111x12x | SPIETH (NZ) | H | 4 | Bryce Heys | 108 |
| 13 | x256x1213x | STAR TURN | C | 3 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | 107 |
| 14 | x1x11x113x | SUPIDO | H | 5 | Michael Kent | 100 |
| 15 | 73x296x20x | TERRAVISTA | G | 7 | Joseph Pride | – |
| 16 | 61539x146x | THE QUARTERBACK | G | 6 | Robbie Griffiths | 110 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes |
1st | TBD | TBD |
| 2nd | TBD | ||
| 3rd | TBD | ||
| 2017 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes |
1st | Terravista | 57.26 seconds |
| 2nd | Spieth | ||
| 3rd | Star Turn | ||
| 2016 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes |
1st | Chautauqua | 57.02 seconds |
| 2nd | Terravista | ||
| 3rd | Japonisme | ||
| 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 | ||