Flemington Racecourse is host to an exciting nine-race card for Black Caviar Lightning Stakes Day 2017 today, Saturday February 18, the full scratchings, track report and race previews found below.
Flying Artie is one of the best in 2017 Black Caviar Lightning betting for Flemington Race 8 this afternoon first-up. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
It is partly cloudy in Melbourne today and with little chance of rain aside from a possible after late afternoon shower, the current Good (3) Flemington track rating is set to stay setting up a stellar day of racing.
Flemington Track Report – 18/02/2017
- Rail: Out 9m Entire Circuit
- Weather: Partly Cloudy
- Track Type: Turf
- Track Rating: Good (3)
- Irrigation: 4mm last 24 hours; 38mm last 7 days
- Rainfall: nil last 24 hours; 5.2mm last 7 days
Flemington racing kicks off this afternoon at 12:30pm (AEDT) and the nine race card continues through until 5:25pm (AEDT).
A total of three Group status events headline the action including the weight-for-age Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) running as Race 8 where gun three-year-olds Flying Artie and Star Turn are battling for favouritism in betting.
The Vanity (Race 5) and the CS Hayes Stakes (Race 6) are the best support acts for the three-year-old gallopers heading towards the 2017 Australian Guineas back at the track in March 4.
Check out the full Flemington race previews, Black Caviar Lightning Day scratchings and program below before heading to Ladbrokes.com.au for access to the best odds and offers across the afternoon.
Flemington Scratchings – 18/02/2017
Total Scratchings: 14
Race 1 (12:30pm) – $80,000 The Asian Executive Stakes (1400m)
- #4 Deja Blue (7)
- #11 Easy Flyer (4)
A benchmark 84 to kick off the card for the fillies and mares. Diamond Baroness ($2.80) for Ciaron Maher is firming and deserving favourite shooting for a third on the trot. She is flying but from the rails Craig Williams’ mount, Pure Pride ($4), presents a danger as she heads towards tougher autumn assignments.
Race 2 (1:50pm) – $100,000 Japan Racing Association Trophy (1400m)
- No current scratchings
Handicap clash features just eight runners but some class in the ranks including Charlie Boy ($9) who is allocated top weight but gets weight relief from apprentice claim of Ben Allen. Duke Of Brunswick ($2.05) for Mick Price is in stellar summer form, is rock hard fit and only needs to handle Flemington to win again for the punters here.
Race 3 (1:40pm) – $100,000 Singapore Turf Club Trophy (1200m)
- No current scratchings
Handicap sprint with another small field of nine running down the straight. Smart Dart ($4.20) flies over these metres (19-8-0-3) and the money is rolling in hard and fast. It is a very open race and a hard one for betting, but So Si Bon ($5) first-up on the light weight with Oliver aboard could surprise off some good trial form.
Race 4 (2:15pm) – $120,000 Listed Talindert Stakes (1100m)
- #5 Domination (10)
- #7 Scudtime (7)
- #14 Paseo Del Rio (11)
- #15 Runway Queen (15)
Two-year-olds that could have Golden Slipper ambitions run in the Talindert. Always a tough one for the punters, but Tony McEvoy has a class line-up of juveniles this season and is represented here from Nicconi filly Time Awaits ($4.60) coming off a Group 3 second at Caulfield. Team Snowden’s Sydney raider Taking Aim ($4.80) looks promising and big odds for rails-drawn Groundbreak ($18) who is the query.
Race 5 (2:50pm) – $150,000 Group 3 The Vanity (1400m)
- #7 Ceylon (8)
Three-year-old fillies face off in the fifth at set weights plus penalties and there are a host with winning claims including returning Crown Oaks runner-up Harlow Gold ($3.70) and last start Manfred Stakes winner over the boys Legless Veuve ($3.20).
Read full 2017 The Vanity Betting Tips
Race 6 (3:25pm) – $150,000 Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m)
- #4 Trenchant (3)
- #8 Snitzon (14)
The colts’ and geldings’ turn in the sixth on way to the Australian Guineas over the mile. Money is on Hey Doc ($3.60) in the good draw to improve on the first-up third in the Manfred. Inside Agent ($11) at a blowout price could be the improver relishing the extra metres.
Read full 2017 CS Hayes Stakes Tips
Race 7 (4:00pm) – $80,000 Ascot Racecourse Trophy (2000m)
- #4 Golden Mane (2)
- #6 Crocodile Rock (13)
- #10 Lola Lu (4)
- #12 Peaky Blinders (11)
Benchmark 84 for the stayers that could head into the Sydney Cup in April over the two miles. Wide open affair with betting led by Hursley ($3.10) who is bred to stay being a four-year-old son of Makfi. Dodging Bullets ($4.50) comes off stellar lead-up form and is a must include in all exotics.
Race 8 (4:45pm) – $750,000 Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m)
- #13 Missrock (7)
One scratching from the 2017 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes field with the filly Missrock out. The remaining three-year-olds are the ones to beat with returning Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Flying Artie ($4.80) and Star Turn ($4.80) for Team Hawkes getting gun runs from good draws. Spieth ($5) first-up after the Darley Classic second, while track specialist Supido ($8.50) is four-from-four at Flemington.
Read full 2017 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes Tips
Race 9 (5:25pm) – $80,000 The Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy (1700m)
- No current scratchings
Card closer features a smart line-up of 13 middle-distance stayers where money is coming in for returning import Our Century ($4.60) despite the big weight. Ran third in the Bendigo Cup in October and first-up here with Hugh Bowman in the saddle. Divine Mr Artie ($5.50) needs to improve of last start, but is drawn to win.
*All times are AEDT and odds provided by Ladbrokes.com.au – subject to change
