South Australian galloper Stirling Grove has been scratched from today’s 2011 Lightning Stakes field leaving nine horses in contention for the Group 1 sprint at Flemington.

The feature race of the cracker Flemington race card today, the $750,000 Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) is Australia’s sole Group 1 sprint over 1000m and is also the opening leg of the Global Sprint Challenge.

Richard Jolly’s Mossman gelding Stirling Grove is an early scratching from the Lightning Stakes, scheduled as Flemington Race 6 due to jump 4:10pm (AEDST).

Stirling Grove was drawn in barrier two and was to be ridden by in-form jockey Craig Williams.

All horses, aside from #4 Leapfrog with the inside running, will now move in a barrier including raging favourite Black Caviar.

Following the scratching of Stirling Grove, who was rated a $26 chance in the Lightning Stakes odds at Luxbet, Black Caviar has further firmed in her favouritism.

Luxbet now have Black Caviar as the $1.35 top pick in their Lightning Stakes betting markets, Peter Moody’s unbeaten mare moving into barrier six with Luke Nolen in the mount.

Check out the full 2011 Lightning Stakes odds available at Luxbet now to lock in your picks before prices shorten.

2011 Lightning Stakes Field & Odds

No.	Horse (Barrier)	Luxbet Odds	$400 Free Bet Win
1	HAY LIST (10)	5.00	$2,000
2	GRAND DUELS (5)	41	$16,400
3	TRUE PERSUASION (8)	51	$20,400
4	LEAPFROG (1)	251	$100,400
5	TOLLESPRIT (9)	126	$50,400
6	KING PULSE (3)	26	$10,400
7	BLACK CAVIAR (7)	1.35	NA*
8	STIRLING GROVE (2)
9	CRYSTAL LILY (4)	17	$6,800
10	WARM LOVE (6)	51	$20,400