Black Caviar Lightning 2025 betting preview & tips | February 15

The time-honoured Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) headlines a stacked 10-race card at Flemington on Saturday afternoon. With $750,000 on the line, a field of 12 — including five Group 1 winners — will duke it out down the famous Flemington straight.

With three superstar three-year-olds dominating the early Black Caviar Lighting betting, Saturday’s Group 1 could mark a changing of the guard in Australia’s sprinting ranks. That said, there are several talented older runners that are capable of springing something of an upset in Flemington’s first Group 1 of 2025.

2025 Black Caviar Lightning odds

Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Switzerland has opened as a $2.90 favourite with horse racing betting sites for the 2025 Black Caviar Lightning.

Fellow three-year-olds Growing Empire ($3.90) and Traffic Warden ($6.50) are seemingly the biggest danger to the favourite, while I Am Me ($8.50) is the only other runner at a single figure quote.

Outside of Benedetta ($14), better than $21 is available for every other runner.

2025 Black Caviar Lightning speed map

Former Hong Kong sprinter Joyful Fortune is expected to set a breakneck tempo in the 2025 Black Caviar Lightning. Behind him, the likes of Philosopher, Way To The Stars, Mornington Glory and Growing Empire will all look to take a sit just off the speed.

I Am Me, Mazu and Switzerland will be aiming for a midfield position, while Benedetta, Traffic Warden, Stretan Angel and Skybird will be setting up to savage the line late from the rear of the field.

Continue reading for HorseBetting’s top selections and $100 betting strategy for the 2025 Black Caviar Lightning.

Black Caviar Lightning 2025 preview & form

Growing Empire will need to overturn a 2.8-length deficit to Switzerland from the Coolmore Stud Stakes last spring, but the Zoustar colt looks perfectly placed to bring up a maiden Group 1 triumph. Despite this being his first 1000m start, the Ciaron Maher-trained sprinter is blessed with a high cruising speed and will be stalking the leaders throughout. Mark Zahra sticks on board, and he looks to be the key to getting the best out of Growing Empire, having partnered him to three wins from four engagements.

Switzerland is a deserving favourite in the 2025 Black Caviar Lightning after dispatching his main rivals with relative ease when they last clashed. That was over 1200m, however, and considering his first-up run during the spring was an absolute stinker, he could be a bit of a risk. If he is at his best, he may just blow this field away, but at the $2.90 quote with BlondeBet, he is a favourite punters can bet around.

There isn’t much splitting the top two in the market, and with Traffic Warden wanting a bit further than 1000m, the backend of trifectas and first-four bets seem like a bit of a lottery.

Black Caviar Lightning 2025 selections & best bets

• 10
  

  GROWING EMPIRE

• 11
  

  SWITZERLAND

• 12
  

  TRAFFIC WARDEN

• 2
  

  MORNINGTON GLORY

Black Caviar Lightning 2025 final field

1. Mazu (11)

• T: Joseph Pride
• J: Ben Melham
• W: 58.5kg
• Age: 6YO
• Colour: Bay
• Sex: Gelding
• Sire: Maurice (JPN)
• Dam: Chatelaine

+1600
+320

2. Mornington Glory (9)

• T: Gavin Bedggood
• J: Ethan Brown
• W: 58.5kg
• Age: 6YO
• Colour: Brown
• Sex: Gelding
• Sire: Shalaa (IRE)
• Dam: Crowned Glory

+1800
+360

3. Joyful Fortune (1)

• T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes
• J: Harry Coffey
• W: 58.5kg
• Age: 8YO
• Colour: Chestnut
• Sex: Gelding
• Sire: Nicconi
• Dam: Sneaky Tsu

+7000
+1200

4. Way To The Stars (8)

• T: Matthew Smith
• J: TBD
• W: 58.5kg
• Age: 6YO
• Colour: Bay
• Sex: Gelding
• Sire: Reward for Effort
• Dam: Writteninthestars

+2500
+500

5. Philosopher (10)

• T: Enver Jusufovic
• J: Michael Dee
• W: 58.5kg
• Age: 5YO
• Colour: Chestnut
• Sex: Gelding
• Sire: Zoustar
• Dam: Lone

+4000
+700

6. I Am Me (12)

• T: Ciaron Maher
• J: Blake Shinn
• W: 56.5kg
• Age: 6YO
• Colour: Bay
• Sex: Mare
• Sire: I Am Invincible
• Dam: Mefnooda

+700
+150

7. Benedetta (2)

• T: Jason Warren
• J: Daniel Stackhouse
• W: 56.5kg
• Age: 5YO
• Colour: Bay or Brown
• Sex: Mare
• Sire: Hellbent
• Dam: Whatalovelyday

+800
+170

8. Stretan Angel (5)

• T: Phillip Stokes
• J: Lachlan Neindorf
• W: 56.5kg
• Age: 4YO
• Colour: Bay
• Sex: Mare
• Sire: Harry Angel (IRE)
• Dam: Sretan

+1800
+360

9. Skybird (3)

• T: Mitchell Freedman
• J: John Allen
• W: 56.5kg
• Age: 4YO
• Colour: Bay
• Sex: Mare
• Sire: Exosphere
• Dam: Real Desire

+4000
+700

10. Growing Empire (6)

• T: Ciaron Maher
• J: Mark Zahra
• W: 55.5kg
• Age: 3YO
• Colour: Bay
• Sex: Colt
• Sire: Zoustar
• Dam: Miles of Krishan

+340
-133.33

11. Switzerland (7)

• T: Chris Waller
• J: James McDonald
• W: 55.5kg
• Age: 3YO
• Colour: Bay
• Sex: Colt
• Sire: Snitzel
• Dam: Ms Bad Behavior

+190
-222.22

12. Traffic Warden (4)

• T: James Cummings
• J: Ms Jamie Melham
• W: 55.5kg
• Age: 3YO
• Colour: Bay
• Sex: Colt
• Sire: Street Boss
• Dam: Efficiently

+600
+130

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