Everything that does not change about the Black Caviar Lightning: how the race works, how to bet it, its history and its past winners. For this year’s field, tips and best bets, see the Black Caviar Lightning race page.
Black Caviar Lightning Tips
The Black Caviar Lightning can be a tricky race to assess with sprinters racing down the famous Flemington straight over five furlongs.
Our horse racing expert will assess all of the key lead-up runs as well as any Flemington sprinting performance in order to find the best bet in the race.
Our experts will provide their Black Caviar Lightning tips following the barrier draw.
See our latest Black Caviar Lightning tips and predictions here.
Black Caviar Lightning Betting Odds 2024
Leading bookmakers Sportsbet, Ladbrokes, Neds, bet365 & Palmerbet will have all the latest Black Caviar Lightning betting odds and markets available.
Click here to see the latest Black Caviar Lightning Odds.
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Black Caviar Lightning History
The Black Caviar Lightning is a Group 1 event run under weight-for-age conditions at Flemington in February each year during the Melbourne Autumn Carnival.
Previously known as the Lightning Stakes, the race is run over 1000 metres and carries a prize pool of $1,000,000.
It is one of the most anticipated sprint races on the racing calendar and attracts most of the country’s finest sprinters.
The race was first run in 1955 when odds-on favourite Gay Vista was successful. It became a Group 2 affair in 1980 before earning Group 1 status in 1987.
The race was renamed the Black Caviar Lightning in honour of the great mare who won the race in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
The Lightning Stakes is run down the Flemington straight course which favours some horses more than others. Several horses tackle the event fresh and first-up, while others come into the race with one or two runs behind them.
The race has been a stepping stone for some of the runners as they go on to tackle other major sprint races during the Autumn Carnival.
Races such as the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) run the following week at Caulfield, the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington or the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley are usually prime targets.
The honour roll for this prestigious event is equal to the Hollywood hall of fame for racing. Great horses such as Redkirk Warrior (2018), Terravista (2017), Chautauqua (2016), Lankan Rupee (2015), Apache Cat (2008), Takeover Target (2006) and Fastnet Rock (2005) head the list of latest winners.
Other greats to salute the judge are Todman (1960), Sky High (1961,1962), Wenona Girl (1963,1964), Storm Queen (1967), Century (1974), River Rough (1984,1985), Placid Ark (1987) and Schillaci in 1992 and 1993.
Several horses have won back-to-back Lightning Stakes but Black Caviar remains the only horse to win it three years in succession.
Black Caviar Lightning Winners (Since 2000)
| 2026 | Tentyris |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Skybird |
| 2024 | Imperatriz |
| 2023 | Coolangatta |
| 2022 | Home Affairs |
| 2021 | Nature Strip |
| 2020 | Gytrash |
| 2019 | In Her Time |
| 2018 | Redkirk Warrior |
| 2017 | Terravista |
| 2016 | Chautauqua |
| 2015 | Lankan Rupee |
| 2014 | Snitzerland |
| 2013 | Black Caviar |
| 2012 | Black Caviar |
| 2011 | Black Caviar |
| 2010 | Nicconi |
| 2009 | Scenic Blast |
| 2008 | Apache Cat |
| 2007 | Miss Andretti |
| 2006 | Takeover Target |
| 2005 | Fastnet Rock |
| 2004 | Regimental Girl |
| 2003 | Choisir |
| 2002 | Spinning Hill |
| 2001 | Sports |
| 2000 | Testa Rossa |
Top 5 Black Caviar Lightning Winners
Click here to see our Top 5 Black Caviar Lightning Winners.
Black Caviar Lightning Live Stream
Australia’s leading bookmaker TAB offers you the chance to watch the Black Caviar Lightning free of charge courtesy of their Sky Racing vision.
TAB will be streaming the action from every Australian thoroughbred, greyhound and harness race live after linking up with Sky Racing to broadcast Sky Racing 1, Sky Racing 2 and Sky Thoroughbred Central.
As well as watching every race in all three racing codes, you can also check the form and bet on them too at TAB via Desktop or the impressive App.
T&Cs Apply. Vision available for all three Sky Racing channels. Data charges may apply.
Watch the Black Caviar Lightning with TAB.
Black Caviar Lightning Bonus Bets
Australia’s leading bookmakers offer horse racing promotions and bonus bets every day of the week and the offers really ramp up on Saturday covering most races
From Double Your Winnings, Cash Back offers and Bonus Bet Back for finishing 2nd, 3rd and even 4th, there are plenty of promos to sink your teeth into.
Racingbase hunts down all the daily bookmaker promos and bonus bets and displays them on one page with their T&C’s so you can see what is on offer.
Free Flemington Betting Tips
Follow the link to find our free tips for Flemington horse races today and best bets for each and every meeting. Our Flemington tipster previews each meeting and highlights a Best Bet, Next Best & Best Value.