Black Caviar and the Lightening.

Everyone loves quality horse racing. The UK has a generous offering in the next day or two, and so to does Australia. The highlight in the wide, brown land will be the running of the G1 Lightening over 1000m at Flemington tomorrow. Black Caviar, chasing her 19th straight win, heads the betting at $1.12. She should win again, but this will be her stiffest test this time in. After a three month break, she strolled away with the G2 Australia Stakes 1200m and the 1400m G1 Orr Stakes. The opposition in these two events wasn’t all that strong, but the Lightening is a different story. This will be the first time that the mare has had to step back in distance. She’ll have to drop from 1400m to the 1000m in the space of a week. She’s good and is expected to win, but this can’t be taken for granted. The pace should be on and a decent time is almost guaranteed, but she won’t be with them through the first half of the race. So she’s going to have to find that extra gear she’s famous for, if she’s to run down the leader at the 200m pole. So who will that leader be?

Probably Hay List. The hulking Sydney-sider is primed to the minute for this race. Black Caviar has had the better of him to date. But he’s had excuses. His connections firmly believe that he will have his day in the sun when it comes to clashes with the champ. The 630kg monster is the only horse to make the mare pull out all the stops so far. After he skipped a couple clear at the furlong in the TJ Smith in Sydney, Black Caviar had to shaken up to come out after him. For a few strides, she looked as though she might be in trouble, but once in top gear, she blasted past him and won by nearly three lengths. Hay List will be going hard from the 600, hoping to put a gap between him and his great adversary. The winner of 14 of 20 with four seconds thrown in, Hay List has convinced his connections that he deserves a shot at the big time in the UK. His battle with Black Caviar tomorrow is a mouthwatering prospect.

The Lightening does not belong to these two great horses alone. The 09 Golden Slipper winner Phelan Ready lines up as well. His form since that great win has not been anything to write home about. He’s gone win-less in his next 23 races, but if he can put it together, he can spring a surprise. Another looking to make the trip to the UK is the 3yo Foxwedge. This will be his first run in nearly 4 months. In that race he was beaten a neck by the boom colt Sepoy in the G1 Coolmore on this track. His trainer is of the opinion that he has come on since then. He’s filling out by the week. Buffering has been going around in nothing but the best company for a while now, so could sneak into the money. There are a few others in the race who will a little lustre, but the event looks like a race in two. Well probably a race in one, but it would not be a surprise to see Hay List put the frighteners on Black Caviar.

 

She proved too good again. Hay List probably led her a half length when he went for home, and for a few strides, Black Caviar had to be shaken up. The 1000m was against her as she'd been set for last weeks 1400m. Once she extended she put Hay List to the sword. She was then eased down in the shadows of the post. Again most impressive. She stopped the clock in 55.53.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMdsCHbSdAs

 

I think it was one of her better wins.Actually had to race a bit,and showed a bit of mettle when push came to shove.
She needed a race like this to sharpen her up.Onwards and upwards now.

 

Simply awesome - expected this to be a lot different after reading the ATR report. For me that was very easy just look at the two jockeys- the lad on Hay List is going for it - just hands and heels on Black Caviar with a tap of the whip. Impressed me yet again.

 

What did we think about Helmet?He looked painfully one paced to me.Surely that was a bad day at the office.His trainer seemed to think he was very forward for his first run back.

 

He looked pretty ordinary today DBF. Had the perfect trail into the race, but was flat when asked for the effort. He has ability, but I don't think he's the horse Sheikh Mohammed wants him to be. He'll do ok if he gets to the UK, but he'll have to be at his best. The best three who seem to be leaving are Black Caviar, Hay List and Sepoy.

 

There are some reports that there may be a spanner in the works for BLACK CAVIAR'S overseas travel: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/sport/horseracing/blanket-ban-could-end-caviars-overseas-push-20120219-1thjt.html

I can't see it being an issue here, providing a barrier blanket is more or less a Monty Robert's blanket. The handler in the stalls could be more of an issue. A stalls handler would get in with her, but I can't see them allowing a rep from the yard to get it - insurance, health and safety, etc.

I bumped into Sir Henry's secretary over the weekend and we had a natter about Frankel. She said he is well and has just started cantering on the grass again. She said the Black Caviar clash will not happen. They are not interested, no matter how much money is offered. They are plotting their season for the horse and he will either run over a mile or a mile and quarter at Royal Ascot. If the BC team want to take him on, they are more than happy to meet her in The Queen Anne or The Prince of Wales, but they will not change plans and drop him in trip.

She also said they have a very nice 2yo Pivotal half-sister to Midday who is working well at the moment. She has a huge stride by all accounts and is leaving the other 2yos behind on the gallops at the moment!