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Three-year-old Flying Artie set to return in Lightning Stakes

14/02/2017

Top class three-year-old Flying Artie heads the nominations for Saturday's A$750,000 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (Group 1 - 1000m) at Flemington which looms as the highlight of the simulcast program from Melbourne. 

The Mick Price trained colt was rated the world's top three-year-old sprinter in 2016 following his win down the Flemington straight course, at 1200 metres, in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes on 29 October. 

Raceday jockey Damien Oliver rode the horse when placed in a 7 February barrier trial and believes he's in good order. "He had a lovely trial, doing just enough and I’m really pleased with the way he’s come back,” Oliver said.

Flying Artie may well face his greatest challenge from fellow three-year-old Star Turn, who finished third behind him in the Coolmore Stud Stakes; while more seasoned older sprinters Fell Swoop, Spieth and Supido will be well fancied. 

However, Melbourne's top rated jockey remains enthusiastic about his mount. “He won down the straight last spring in what was probably the best race of the spring carnival and everything's positive about what he's done on the track this time in,” he said. 

Flying Artie would become the first three-year-old to win the race since 2005 but horses of that age did win the race six times in eight years before that. 

The race has an outstanding honour roll with the Hong Kong's Chairman's Sprint Prize (Group 1) winner Chautauqua taking the event in 2016; Lankan Rupee won in 2015 and the unbeaten Black Caviar won three years straight from 2011. Each was the world's top rated sprinter at some point. 

Victory in this year's race could also signal an international foray to Hong Kong or Europe as aside from Chautauqua and Black Caviar, the Lightning Stakes has also been won by Scenic Blast, Miss Andretti, Takeover Target and Choisir who were later Royal Ascot winners. 

Sydney visitor Spieth adds spice to Saturday's race with the stallion going well enough to entice champion Sydney jockey Hugh Bowman to Melbourne while the injury troubled Supido, unbeaten in four starts down the straight course, resumes from a long spell. 

“He’s definitely thickened and strengthened up and his recent trial was sound. He's well," trainer Michael Kent said of Supido. 

 

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