Mick Price is thrilled with the benefit taken by star three-year-old Flying Artie during his time away from racing, as he prepares to saddle the Group 1 winner amongst open company for the first time in Saturday’s 2017 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington.

Flying Artie will resume in Saturday’s Black Caviar Lightning Stakes at Flemington. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

Flying Artie was a standout for Price during the 2016 Australian racing calendar and was last seen storming home to win the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) down the Flemington straight on Derby Day.

Price told Racing Victoria that the Artie Schiller colt has furnished into a ‘bigger, better horse’ since returning to the paddock and while conceding that there is something of a question mark over the distance first-up, he is expecting to see the horse hitting the line well.

“Physically when you see him in the mounting yard he’s a bigger, better horse,” Price said.

“As a spring three-year-old he wasn’t rushed to run in the Blue Sapphire but he sort of just made the race on time and he won despite being a bit green and all over the place.

“His win in the Coolmore was that of a professional racehorse and I think he’s right where he should be.

“His Cranbourne trial was good, his Sandown gallop was good. He ran a half-mile (800m) in 50 seconds (Tuesday) morning where he sat off a nice running sort of a horse in Katsuro and Ollie (Damien Oliver) was happy and I think he’ll be in the money on Saturday.

“I think if he’s a little bit vulnerable then it may be over 1000m but I think the straight suits and he should finish off strongly and I’m thinking he can win.”

Flying Artie made his racing debut for second in the Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) in November of 2015 and was immediately put away, with a view towards major 2016 Autumn Carnival two-year-old targets.

Resuming for a smart win in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) last autumn, Flying Artie overcame the wide barrier 15 to finish second behind stable mate Extreme Choice in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) before ending his campaign third in the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m).

Resuming in spring for a shaky win in the Group 3 Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m), the colt out of Flying Ruby had clearly taken benefit from the run when he beat closest rivals Astern and Star Turn to the line by close to two lengths in the Coolmore Stud Stakes.

Flying Artie is currently the $5 second-favourite in early 2017 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au.