The Flemington track is currently rated a Dead 5 with perfect weather conditions for today’s Lightning Stakes Day 2011.

Earlier in the week, and as late as yesterday afternoon, weather predictions were for rain, rain and more rain to fall and dampen the Flemington race programme today.

However sparse showers were all the track saw overnight and today the sun is out and shining down as the horses, their connections and the punters gear up for the day’s feature showdown, the $750,000 Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m).

The 2011 Coolmore Lightning Stakes is Race 6 on the Flemington race card today, jumping at 4:10pm (AEDST).

The current Flemington track conditions have continued to confirm the claims of raging favourite Black Caviar to win the Lightning Stakes today and extend her record to nine consecutive victories.

Black Caviar is paying a $1.35 to win through Luxbet, her short odds on par with her sensational form for this.

The Dead track is ideal for Peter Moody’s unbeaten mare as Black Caviar has had three starts for three wins on Dead ground including her emphatic four length win in the Group 1 Patinack Farm Classic here back on November 6.

Word at the track is that there is a strong wind blowing down the Flemington straight.

With the Lightning Stakes run down the 1000m straight, we are predicting the runners to go out wide down the outside and take advantage of the good ground away from the inside.

With Black Caviar set to start from barrier six, her biggest threat today will likely come from $5 second favourite Hay List.

Back to form with no injury set-backs in this sprinting rematch, Hay List is jumping from the far outside barrier in the Lightning Stakes tody.

With Hay List in barrier nine, expect the Lightning Stakes field to move to the outside upsetting claims for horses like the returning King Pulse (barrier two) and Golden Slipper winner Crystal Lily (barrier three) who are drawn close to the rails.

On the other hand this brings runners out on the fence into contention if they can keep up with the likely blistering pace.

We now like the look of #3 True Persuasion for the Lightning Stakes exotics.

True Persuasion has proved their potential to Place in Group company many times including behind Hay List when second in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) and Black Caviar when third in the Group 2 Schweppes Stakes (1200m) during the spring.

True Persuasion is drawn in barrier seven and as a $51 roughie looks great value.

Check out the latest Lightning Stakes betting markets at Luxbet now!

Photo courtesy (c) Taron Clarke Photography