Missrock Steady for Black Caviar Lightning 2018 Return

A clash with the season’s best sprinters is on the cards for Missrock who has a tough first-up run scheduled in the 2018 Black Caviar Lightning at Flemington on February 17.

Missrock will take on The Everest champion Redzel first-up in Flemington’s 2018 Black Caviar Lightning on February 17. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

Her Cranbourne trainer Robbie Laing is confident of a big autumn for the four-year-old daughter of Fastnet Rock following an excellent Monday morning trial performance at her home track.

Missrock was last seen finishing just over four lengths back for ninth to the Peter & Paul Snowden-trained sprint star Redzel in the Group 1 Darley Classic (1200m) at Flemington on November 11 during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

That run came just seven days after her lead-up second at the same track and distance in the Group 2 Linlithgow Stakes (1200m).

On Monday Missrock ran third in an 800m hit-out won by Lizard Island and Laing is hoping she can put in a big run fresh in the Group 1 $750,000 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m).

The mare hasn’t won a race since late August over 1000m at The Valley last year, but has an outstanding record of four wins from five starts first-up.

Her latest elite level test was at Morphettville last winter when runner-up to Vega Magic at big odds in the Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m).

Missrock will again be up against The Everest winner Redzel when she resumes Saturday week and Laing believes a top three run in the Group 1 is not out of reach.

“She was really good and we were conscious to hold her together and leave plenty in reserve for the Lightning,” he told Racing Victoria on Monday.

“She performs brilliantly first-up and we didn’t want her to go out and do something like she would on race day.

“She’s run second or third under a nice hold and the time was good.”

Redzel dominates all-in Black Caviar Lightning odds at Ladbrokes.com.au paying a short $2 after the $7.79 million earner won his Monday trial at Rosehill over 1000m by three lengths, the heat also featuring Winx (5^th).

Punters can find first-up specialist Missrock further down the pre-field Black Caviar Lightning betting markets at $17 to score the upset and join the growing list of mares to salute in the event in recent years following the race’s namesake Black Caviar (2011-13) and Snitzerland (2014).

To get behind your early Black Caviar Lightning 2018 tips at the best Flemington racing odds online head to Ladbrokes.com.au today.