Racing: Black Caviar Lightning Stakes Day Selections & Best Bets

Flemington – Race 8 – Black Caviar Lightning Stakes

Imperatriz (4) is the best sprinter in the country and while not as destructive as previous wins, she ticked the Flemington straight-course box prior to going for a break. Her recent trial at Cranbourne wasn’t flash but we know what she can do on raceday and her first-up record is near-flawless (6:5-1-0). Class should prevail.

Private Eye (1) is a terrific fresh horse (8:4-0-1) with a devastating turn-of-foot over these short trips. His win in the G2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) here was utterly dominant and a repeat of that performance would see him challenge Imperatriz.

Bella Nipotina (3) just never runs a bad race and was unlucky not to finish closer behind Imperatriz here in the spring (it wasn’t a great steer).

I Am Unstoppable (8) has finished 2nd in all three of his runs here, splitting Ozzmosis and Shinzo in the G1 Coolmore (1200m) before going for a break. He takes on the older, established stars here but he has to be respected.

VERDICT: Imperatriz (4) for the win by James Lamb.

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Randwick – Race 7 – Apollo Stakes

While the Apollo Stakes doesn’t hold Group 1 status, it’s Group 1 class as a handful of Sydney’s best weight-for-age horses return.

Excited for the return of Think It Over (1) and he goes like a jet first-up (9:4-2-0). Confident he’s going to better than what he was in the spring with a fitness base off a long lay-off that forced him to spend 18 months on the sidelines. Exploded two years ago in this race when he won by three lengths, beating the likes of Colette, Verry Elleegant and Kolding. Two trials have him fit and not many horses love Randwick more than Think It Over.

Fangirl (8) is a class act but I think she’s vulnerable first-up and couldn’t launch into $2.40. There’s not a whole lot of speed here and from barrier eight, she’s likely to settle back in the field as she generally tends to do. While Waller’s stable star has a class edge on most of these, it’s going to be a much improved Think It Over (1) that she’s up against and she might not catch him.

The warhorse Cascadian (2) is nine now but he’s just such a likeable horse and he always sprints well fresh and at 1400m. Look out for him late, because I’m certain he’s going to be flashing home.

Can’t see how Buckaroo (4) is $7.50 but of Waller’s two other gallopers, I’d prefer to side with Lindermann (7) over Militarize (10). Making his return as a gelding, Lindermann (7) has trialled up a storm and he’s a horse I think can really turn it up over the autumn. The market hasn’t missed him as he’s $8 and I reckon he’ll mix it with these. No knock on Militarize, but Saturday isn’t his grand final, and he’ll be hard to beat in the Randwick Guineas a few weeks from now.

VERDICT: Think It Over (1) looks the winner. Best value of the day by Jett Hatton.