Flemington Racecourse is hosting a top-class day of racing this Saturday with an elite eight race line-up set to take place for Lightning Stakes Day 2011 and with less than an hour until Flemington Race 1 jumps, the Races.com.au team take a look at the early Flemington Stakes Day field scratchings.

The headline race on today’s Flemington card is Race 6 – the $750,000 Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) due to jump at 4:10pm (AEDST) – and so far the Lightning Stakes field has had one horse scratched.

#8 Stirling Grove is the sole 2011 Lightning Stakes scratching to date, leaving nine sprinters to face off in the speedy showdown including odds-on favourite Black Caviar.

Red hot jockey Craig Williams was due to ride Stirling Grove, Williams also losing the mount in Flemington Race 2 with #7 Down Under Boy scratched.

Another noteworthy Lightning Stakes Day race scratching is #6 We’re Gonna Rock who was the favourite to win Flemington Race 3.

In the opening Group race of the day, #3 She’s Got Gears has been withdrawn from the $200,000 Group 3 The Mittys Vanity (1400m) showdown.

To view all the latest Lightning Stakes Day news, betting tips and race results bookmark us here at Races.com.au.

Check out our preferred online bookmaker Luxbet now for the full Flemington race scratchings and to bet on all the Lightning Stakes Day features at the best odds in the country.

Lightning Stakes Day Flemington Race Scratchings – February 19, 2011

Flemington Race 1 – Talindert Stakes (1100m) – 12:50pm (AEDST)

• #4 Gone Skiing (2)

Flemington Race 2 – Antler Luggage Handicap (2000m) – 1:30pm (AEDST)

• #7 Down Under Boy (11)
• #12 Port Vell (6)

Flemington Race 3 – The Big6 Handicap (1200m) – 2:10pm (AEDST)

• #4 Midnight Mustang (14)
• #6 We’re Gonna Rock (1)
• #14 Snip Esprit (4)

Flemington Race 4 – The Mittys Vanity (1400m) – 2:50pm (AEDST)

• #3 She’s Got Gears (5)

Flemington Race 5 – CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) – 3:30pm (AEDST)

No Scratchings to date.

Flemington Race 6 – Coolmore Lightning Stakes (1000m) – 4:10pm (AEDST)

• #8 Stirling Grove (2)

Flemington Race 7 – Henry Bucks Best Dressed Handicap (1400m) – 4:50pm (AEDST)

• #1 Buccellati (8)
• #11 Miles Above (12)

Flemington Race 8 – Gurner’s Lane Handicap (1700m) – 5:30pm (AEDST)

• #1 Majestical (5)
• #10 Itimio (15)
• #12 Zevada (10)

Note: The Lightning Stakes is often misspelled “Lightening Stakes” and “Lighting Stakes”

Photo courtesy (c) Taron Clarke Photography