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The first of the Flemington Group 1 autumn races, the 2025 Black Caviar Lightning, saw a boilover with a result few punters could have predicted as 25/1 outsider Skybird absolutely dominated at headquarters with a big romp home over fellow double-figure roughie Stretan Angel.

In an impressive performance from Mitch Freedman‘s underrated Exosphere four-year-old, the progressive mare came from last in the run to drive through down the outside, hit the lead inside the final 100m and put her rivals to bed in style to become the longest-priced winner of the Group 1 $1 million Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) in the race’s 71-year history.

Jockey John Allen got the room he needed the closing stages with a late burst of acceleration from the multiple Group 2 winning mare as Skybird raced into the Black Caviar Lightning history books.

On the line she had a length to spare over Phillip Stokes‘ The Goodwood runner-up from last season, Stretan Angel ($21).

Adding further value to the shock, all-mares’ Black Caviar Lightning trifecta in third was Benedetta ($8.50) who narrowly denied Chris Waller‘s resuming Coolmore Stud Stakes winning colt, beaten favourite Switzerland ($2.45F), a placing.

“Once she got into the clear god she quickened up and put them to bed like they were standing still to be honest,” winning hoop Allen told Racing.com post-victory.

Freedman was thrilled with Skybird’s unexpected victory, mentioning that he had considered waiting another week to run Skybird in the Oakleigh Plate but decided to take on the tougher challenge in a move that proved successful.

“We just built towards it. Her work at Horsham 10 days ago or whatever it was now and her work on Tuesday was phenomenal,” Freedman said of Skybird’s lead-up.

“We were so thrilled with her coming into the race. I knew we were up against the challenge, and everyone wanted to tell us we weren’t fast enough for the 1000 (metres) but we know that she’s a sprinter.

“We had to try her out over the longer distances as a three-year-old to race in those bigger races, and as a four-year-old as well, but what a phenomenal win.

“She was coiled up behind them there and I was just wanting a gap to come and when it did, she burst through and galloped away from them.”

Freedman praised Skybird’s performance, noting her ability to come from last and surge past her rivals to win the race and become a Group 1 winning mare.

The victory was Skybird’s fifth from 12 starts and with her earnings now up over $1.2 million ahead of more Group 1 sprint targets over the coming months.

After Skybird’s impressive win in the Black Caviar Lightning, Freedman and connections have several options for her autumn campaign including the Group 1 $1.5 million Newmarket Handicap (1200m) back at the track on March 8.

Redkirk Warrior (2018) was the last sprinter to complete the Black Caviar Lightning – Newmarket Handicap double.

“Why not (target the Newmarket next)?” Freedman said.

“It maps well. We thought, there’s three sprints in Melbourne she could run in, either this or the Oakleigh Plate into the Newmarket and then into the William Reid.

“We’ll go down that path at this stage and then we’ve got Adelaide to back up on.

“But we’ll make sure she pulls up well, well done to the team well ridden by Johnny and thanks to the owners for their support.”

Updated all in 2025 Newmarket Handicap odds on Skybird have firmed into $8 through Ladbrokes.com.au.

2025 Black Caviar Lightning Results

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