This was published 10 years ago

All you need to know about the Lightning

AAP

February 18, 2016 - 1.34am

or-age

HISTORY:

* First run in 1955 over straight five furlongs. 1000m from 1973.

* Registered name Lightning Stakes, renamed in 2013 as Black Caviar chased her third straight win.

* Held at Moonee Valley in 2007 and won by Miss Andretti as Flemington underwent track renovations.

NOTABLE WINNERS:

* Todman (1960), Sky High (1961/62), Wenona Girl (1963/64), Dual Choice (1971), Maybe Mahal (1977/78), River Rough (1984/85), Placid Ark (1987), Zeditave (1989), Shaftesbury Avenue (1991), Schillaci (1992/93), Mahogany (1995/97), Testa Rossa (2000), Choisir (2003), Fastnet Rock (2005), Takeover Target (2006), Scenic Blast (2009), Black Caviar (2011/12/13), Lankan Rupee (2015).

TALKING POINTS:

* First of the 10-race Global Sprint Challenge.

* Choisir, Takeover Target, Miss Andretti and Scenic Blast went on to win King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.

* Choisir and Black Caviar went on to win Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

* Four favourites have won in past 10 years with Black Caviar odds-on in her three victories and Miss Andretti ($3.25) in 2007. Longest-priced Scenic Blast ($21) in 2009.

* A field of seven has been declared this year.

WHAT THE KEY PLAYERS ARE SAYING:

"It's a good Group One field but he's a colt that I've got a very good opinion of," - Kinglike's trainer Peter Moody.

"We always say more horses is more traffic for a horse that gets back, but then when you have a small, select field it can be quite tricky and can be like a game of chess," - Delectation's jockey Craig Williams.