Eight participants are confirmed for the kickoff Group 1 spectacle in Melbourne’s Autumn Carnival, the Black Caviar Lightning at Flemington.
Three-year-old fillies unusually lead the nominations in this unrestricted age and gender sprint.
Out of eight declarations, three hail from three-year-old fillies gunning for a third triumph in 25 years in the 1000m feature.
Regimental Gal scored for them in 2004, Coolangatta the freshest in 2023.
The inclusion of six-year-old mare Benedetta has the ladies targeting four recent conquests in the Black Caviar Lightning, building on Coolangatta, Imperatriz and Skybird from the prior three editions.
Fillies My Gladiola and Military Tycoon from Melbourne will link with Marhoona under Michael Freedman’s guidance, having settled at Flemington stables a touch over a week prior to the Group 1 Saturday sprint.
The two-year-old Marhoona flashed elite ability, placing second to Tempted in Randwick’s Reisling Slipper en route to the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) conquest at Rosehill.
Her spring schedule comprised two starts: a winning return in Rosehill’s Heritage Stakes, succeeded by third in the Roman Consul Stakes at Rosehill.
Freedman highlighted the hurdles for Golden Slipper winners at three, though Marhoona’s autumn base includes a January 27 Randwick trial success over Autumn Glow.
“I think she has come back great,” Freedman said.
“Slipper-winning fillies aren’t easy to place, especially the ones that are more sprinting types.
She is already a Group 1 winner so we want to try to line her up in races that can only potentially enhance her page, so we had a chat about it and thought we’d have a crack at the Lightning.”
Freedman shrugs off Marhoona’s straight inexperience, pointing to Pallaton’s Melbourne Cup Day victory on that path from the stable.
Michael Dee climbs aboard Marhoona for his first go.
“We had Craig Williams booked, but he is suspended on Saturday, so we had to make a bit of a late change,” Freedman said.
The betting markets for the race offer plenty of appeal for punters eyeing the Black Caviar Lightning.
The post Golden Slipper winner in Black Caviar Lightning bid first appeared on Just Horse Racing.