Mark Walker’s champion mare Imperatriz answered the critics after her flat trial at Cranbourne 12 days earlier fighting off a brave Private Eye to salute as the odds-on fancy for her ninth Group 1 victory in Flemington’s Black Caviar Lightning 2024 results.

2024 Black Caviar Lightning winner Imperatriz dug deep to post her ninth career Group 1 win fresh at Flemington. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

The five-year-old daughter of I Am Invincible extended her winning streak to six on the trot when kicking off her autumn down under with an impressive victory fresh in the Group 1 $1 million Black Caviar Lightning (1000m).

Despite turning in a lacklustre hit-out when fifth over 800m at Cranbourne on February 5, the bookies took no chances with Imperatriz who dominated Black Caviar Lightning betting at $1.60.

“Good horses, they probably save their best to race day. It was a lacklustre trial, it really was, but when we galloped her on Monday we were happy,” Walker said.

She was excellent with Opie Bosson in the saddle once more really digging deep after going stride-for-stride in an epic battle with Joe Pride’s dual The Everest place-getter Private Eye ($5) over the final 350m.

“Just a gun ride by Opie today it was a really tactical affair he used the initiative,” Walker said.

In the end the mare’s class and will to win shone through and she was able to take out Australia’s quickest Group 1 race with a dominant all-the-way Flemington 1000m performance ahead of an autumn that looks set to include plenty more elite level glory.

“Always travelling beautifully, just kept creeping up, and once I went for her late, she displayed that kick she always has,” Bosson told Racing.com after the win.

Also catching the eye when flashing home from the back in her first 1000m assignment to snare third and round out the Black Caviar Lightning trifecta was the Chris Waller-trained The Invitation winning mare Espiona ($26).

The Black Caviar Lightning result continued Imperatriz’s Victorian odyssey following on from her sensational spring that included Group 1 wins in the Moir Stakes, Manikato Stakes, and Champions Sprint to add to her William Reid triumph from last autumn.

“She’s just a gem really to do it in the spring and come back and win like that,” Walker added.

“Full credit to the second horse. He’s a really good horse and he stuck it to her today so I think you saw two really good horses fight out an exciting finish.”

Walker said the team would see how Imperatriz went over the week before confirming next-up autumn targets.

It looks likely however she will look to continue her dominance in Melbourne including a possible title defence in the Group 1 $1 million William Reid Stakes (1200m) at The Valley on March 23.

All-in 2024 William Reid Stakes odds at Ladbrokes.com.au have Imperatriz at an already odds-on quote of $1.80 to go back-to-back in the race for the first time since Apache Cat (2008-09).

The brilliant Black Caviar also won dual editions of the William Reid Stakes more recently but on non-successive years saluting in 2011 and 2013.

Click here to bet on Imperatriz in the William Reid Stakes 2024 through Ladbrokes.com.au.

2024 Black Caviar Lightning Results & Finishing Order

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.