The nation’s number one sprinter Redzel heads up a speedy group of thirteen nominations for the Group 1 $750,000 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Redzel, above, heads up the nominations for the 2018 Black Caviar Lightning at Flemington. Photo by Steve Hart.
The Team Snowden trained Redzel is the winner of his last six starts and was crowned the leading sprinter in the country following his brilliant wins in the $10m The Everest (1200m) at Randwick and in the Group 1 $1m Darley Classic (1200m) at Flemington during the 2017 Spring Carnival.
Redzel has completed two barrier trials at Rosehill for his return to the race track for a seventh over 900m on January 22 and a win over 1000m on February 5.
“His first trial was a soft trial two weeks ago and this morning we just needed a bit of a pipe-opener,” said co-trainer Peter Snowden who trains in partnership with his son Paul at Randwick.
“He’ll do all his fast work up here. He’ll probably only head down (to Melbourne) about four days before (the race), he’s been there quite a few times now.
“He’s only got to hold his form from last preparation but to my eye he’s a touch better, maybe that’s positive thinking.”
Redzel is no stranger to the straight course at Flemington and as well as winning the Darley Classic there, also scored over the same distance as the Black Cavair Lightning in winning the Listed $150,000 Mumm Stakes during the 2016 Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Last year’s winner Terravista is also among the Black Caviar Lightning nominations along with his speedy stablemate Ball Of Muscle and trainer Joe Pride is happy to take on Redzel down the Flemington straight.
“I’m happy to take Redzel on over 1000m with my two horses. We’re not scared of one horse,” Pride told the Herald Sun.
“I’m not saying we’re going to beat him but if we are it will be over the distance which suits my horses a bit better and if we get the right run then we could.”
The Lindsay Park Team of David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig have four nominations for the Black Caviar Lightning, last seasons’ Blue Diamond Stakes winner Catchy and fellow three year old filly Formality, and Group 1 winners Redkirk Warrior and Sheidel.
Redkirk Warrior was a brilliant first up winner down the Flemington straight in taking out the 2017 Group 1 $1.25m Lexus Newmarket Handicap (1200m) while the Mick Kent trained Supido is also a winner over the same course and distance as the Black Caviar Lightning.
The nomination deadline for the Black Caviar Lightning has been extended until 10am on Tuesday February 13, 2018
Early betting for the Black Caviar Lightning at Ladbrokes.com.au: $1.80 Redzel, $8 Hey Doc, $10 Redkirk Warrior, $11 Formality, $13 Catchy, Terravista, $15 Supido, $17 Ball Of Muscle, Super Too, Limestone, $26 Missrock, Rock Magic, $41 Sheidel.
Nominations for the 2018 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m)
| # | Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3394x2531x | BALL OF MUSCLE | G | 7 | Joseph Pride | 105 |
| 2 | 110x21330x | CATCHY | F | 3 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 102 |
| 3 | 302x11013x | FORMALITY | F | 3 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 102 |
| 4 | 1196x1401x | HEY DOC | G | 4 | Tony McEvoy | 113 |
| 5 | 3112x4F54x | LIMESTONE | F | 3 | Darren Weir | 80 |
| 6 | 2x1449729x | MISSROCK | M | 4 | Robbie Laing | 104 |
| 7 | 1x105x100x | REDKIRK WARRIOR (GB) | G | 7 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 111 |
| 8 | 2211x1111x | REDZEL | G | 5 | Peter & Paul Snowden | 116 |
| 9 | 011x43765x | ROCK MAGIC | G | 8 | Chris Gangemi | 106 |
| 10 | 1460x4359x | SHEIDEL | M | 6 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 109 |
| 11 | 1423x5112x | SUPER TOO | M | 4 | Marc Conners | 95 |
| 12 | 13x930x15x | SUPIDO | H | 6 | Michael Kent | 103 |
| 13 | 20x100x02x | TERRAVISTA | G | 8 | Joseph Pride | 113 |
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