The Black Caviar Lightning, registered as the Lightning Stakes, is a Victoria Racing Club Group 1 thoroughbred horse race at Weight for Age, run over a distance of 1000 metres at Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, Australia in February. Prize money is A$1,000,000.
History
The Lightning Stakes forms the first leg of the three leg Autumn sprint series over the Melbourne carnival. It precedes the G1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m, open handicap) at Caulfield Racecourse on the third Saturday in February and the G1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m, open handicap), Australia's most famous sprinting handicap, also run at Flemington on the first Saturday in March. Horses contesting this race may also head to the G1 William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley Racecourse, run over 1200m at weight-for-age in March.
Name
The name of the race changed from the Lightning Stakes in 2013, to honour sprinting superstar Black Caviar, who won the race in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Distance
1955–1972 - 5 furlongs (~1000 metres) 1973 onwards - 1000 metres
Grade
1955–1979 - Principal race
1980–1986 - Group 2
1987 onwards - Group 1
Venue
In 2007 the race was run at Moonee Valley Racecourse due to refurbishment work at Flemington Racecourse.
International affiliation
Since 2005 the race has been the first leg of the Global Sprint Challenge, followed by the Australia Stakes and from 2008 followed by the King's Stand Stakes when the Australia Stakes was replaced as a leg of the series by The Age Classic. Until Nicconi's defeat in the 2010 King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot held in June, this race has proved an outstanding guide to the winner of that race, with Choisir (2003), Takeover Target (2006), Miss Andretti (2007) and Scenic Blast (2009) all winning this race before subsequently winning at Royal Ascot later that year.
Most wins
Black Caviar (3)