Monday, 17 February 2025: Slow tempos threw up some interesting results at Flemington and Randwick.

LADY SHENANDOAH winning the TAB LIGHT FINGERS STAKES

Lightning Stakes

Skybird  was a shock winner of the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m), upstaging the boom trio of three-year-olds.

Only an even tempo, especially given two key speed influences came out when the track was downgraded, which the times show was a significant downgrade, but Skybird showed a weapon-like turn of foot to come from last.

She's ripped home in big late splits with a big sectional markup of around 16 pounds, and run to a Racing & Sports rating of 120, a clear new peak.

She'd always promised to knock off a big race but few, surely including connections, would've thought that'd be in a Lightning Stakes.

It is worth noting that her previous best rating of 115, which was already six pounds higher than the next best, came down the Flemington straight on a heavy track when charging home in the Bobbie Lewis to just miss.

In terms of Lightning winners, this isn't a high rating edition, which isn't all that surprising. A rating of 120 does sit equal-lowest on the R&S scale this century, tied with 2023 winner Coolangatta among others.

She clearly has an affinity for the straight and while she's shown a huge turn of speed here, 1200m would have to be even more suitable. As with most Lightning winners, the Newmarket Handicap becomes the focus point.

It'll be interesting to see how the beaten brigade bounce back. Switzerland  was okay in fourth, running to 109, which is still better than his flop first-up last time in. This was the wettest track he's ever faced so maybe that's some excuse, while Growing Empire  was very plain.

They have big questions to answer in the Newmarket but it wouldn't surprise if there's a big form reversal from the Lightning on a dry track at 1200m on a fast tempo.

SKYBIRD winning the Black Caviar Lightning

CS Hayes

Worth touching quickly on the win of Sepals  who was awesome winning the Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) by 3.3 lengths.

The tempo was strong and Sepals relished the test, running to a Racing & Sports rating of 113, up from 98 at Sandown prior.

A rating of 113 in a CS Hayes is quite good, only two pounds below Riff Rocket at 115 last year but matching the likes of Grunt who went on to win the Australian Guineas. It's also well ahead of 2023 winner Elliptical (105) in a list topped by Alligator Blood at 120.

Sepals actually edges Autumn Stakes winner Angel Capital  who ran to 111 in that race first up, although did it backed up by strong splits that gave every indication he'll be improving shortly.

There isn't much between the two form lines and my gut feel is the market will heavily favour Angel Capital on the day which could present an opportunity.


Light Fingers

Lady Shenandoah  returned in outstanding fashion to take the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m), the Flight Stakes winner running to a new career peak rating which is ominous for her rivals.

She's run to 115 on the Racing & Sports ratings which is the equal-highest Light Fingers winner since 2008.

Gold Edition at 120 in 2007 topped that list from Forensics at 116 the year after, but Lady Shenandoah sits alongside Flit, Bennetta, More Joyous and Rock Me Baby.

It's ahead of top-line mares Global Glamour (113), Fangirl (112), Alizee (110) and In Secret (110) which shows the type of performance she's put up.

She'd run to 113+ in the Flight Stakes and to return as well as ever fresh suggests she'll be running 120 this time in.

A typical Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m) winner doesn't take any more winning with 114 the median rating. She'll be in the red for that race, and then I think she should go to open age company.

The Coolmore Classic (1500m) against her own sex would be a great race for her, and I think she would go very close in a Doncaster Mile as well.

 

Apollo Stakes

Fangirl  was back to something like her best with a big win in the Apollo Stakes, upstaging stablemate Via Sistina .

She found her ideal scenario to beat Via Sistina, getting a soft tempo over 1400m and having a superior turn of foot, running to 123 on the Racing & Sports scale which is just one pound below the 124 she ran winning this race last year. Her peak is 125 when she beat Mr Brightside in the King Charles of 2023.

The big guns have all gone well here. Via Sistina and Ceolwulf  both hit the line strongly, with their sectional mark-up time ratings bang up alongside Fangirl who settled just a touch closer.

It sets up for a mouthwatering Autumn between the three. It'll be interesting to see where Fangirl goes from here, with the All Star Mile being floated as an option pre-Saturday to avoid Via Sistina, but she showed she's more than capable of measuring up against anything bar a Cox Plate level super-performance.

Via Sistina ran to 120 which is the same rating she ran to win the Winx Stakes fresh last time in so there's certainly no cause for alarm there, while Ceolwulf at 118 is only bettered by his pair of Group 1 wins in the Spring.

Wherever these horses end up, there'll be plenty of fantastic clashes as they get over further with Group 1 targets in mind.

FANGIRL winning the PETALUMA APOLLO STAKES at Randwick in Australia.