Sprinting stars honour a true racing legend

Australia never holds back in celebration of its champions, and Saturday’s quality card at Flemington, Melbourne, is a perfect example.

The feature is the G1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes, over 1,000m, for decades a race with great tradition, yet one that now also celebrates a modern day thoroughbred icon.

That she retired unbeaten after 25 starts is a feat that already sets her apart, but the fact that Black Caviar also travelled to Britain and beat Europe’s best sprinters at Royal Ascot in the most dramatic fashion makes her a true legend of the Turf.

Australia’s top sprinter Redzel heads an impressive list of 10, who will face the starter in the Lightning, but with Redkirk Warrior, Terravista and Ball Of Muscle also declared, this has the makings of a memorable clash that will rank with some of the finest renewals.

Redzel consolidated his position as the best sprinter in the country when winning Randwick’s A$10m The Everest in October.

Because he also has an unbeaten record up the straight at Flemington — he is two from two, including the G1 Darley Classic — he will be top of the list with most form followers.

Redzel is trained by Peter and Paul Snowden, and will be ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, so there is no shortage of interest for Godolphin followers, who still monitor the progress of these former stalwarts of the ‘Royal Blues.’

The excellent racing at Meydan also continues on Saturday, with Gold Town’s blitz of his rivals in Thursday’s G3 UAE 2000 Guineas still vivid in the memory.

This time, the fillies take pride of place at this Dubai fixture in the G2 Balanchine, and the Saeed bin Suroor-trained Promising Run should make her class tell against solid opposition.

She is a last start winner for her rider Pat Cosgrave and comes into the field the highest-rated.

Tiaemah, from Saudi Arabia, is a most interesting rival. Finally, on a truly international weekend, the cream of Hong Kong’s four-year-olds step out in the Listed Classic Cup, over 1,800m.

The John Size-trained Nothingilikemore will be attempting to make his record seven wins from eight starts, and has an excellent chance of pulling it off.