Racing
Black Caviar Lightning won't include Headwall
Talented Headwall will be a notable omission from the star-studded field of sprinters set to clash in the $1 million Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) at Flemington next week.
Trainer Matthew Smith was slightly amused when informed by Racing And Sports that some wagering operators had Headwall prominent in early betting at $15 for the Lightning in February 14, the first Group 1 of the year.
But Headwall hasn't raced since he suffered a leg injury soon after winning the Concorde Stakes first-up last September – and he won't be racing anytime soon, either.
"Headwall is still probably three months away,'' Smith said. "He's coming along well but we are giving him the time he needs and hopefully he might make it back for the Brisbane (winter) carnival.''
The Lightning is going to be a compelling showdown between among others Godolphin's crack three-year-old colts, Tentyris and Beiwacht, and the outstanding Giga Kick.
The trio are all resuming after Group 1- winning spring campaigns – Tentyris was a brilliant winner of the Coolmore Stud Stakes, Beiwacht broke the "clock" in the Golden Rose, and Giga Kick took his career earnings to nearly $15 million with his Champion Sprint win.
In early TAB Fixed Odds betting for the Lightning, Tentyris is the $2.50 favourite ahead of Giga Kick at $4.50 with Beiwacht at $6.
Meanwhile, Smith did produce two potential autumn carnival contenders at the Friday Canterbury barrier trials session with promising mare Idle Flyer and highly-rated import Portland.
Idle Flyer, winner of six of her 12 starts including the Group 3 Angst Stakes last spring, was given a very easy trial over 900m finishing unplaced behind handy duo Media World and Snow In May while Portland was sixth to Shangri La Boy and Stefi Magnetica in a 1106m heat.
"Idle Flyer had a little setback about a month ago, it cost us a bit of time, but she is on track now,'' Smith said.
"I'd like to get her to the Queen of the Turf Stakes (Group 1, $1 million, Royal Randwick, April 11). It will be a bit tight but all going well I will run her first-up in one of those good mares lead-up races early next month.''
Portland, formerly trained by Irish maestro Aidan O'Brien, is a lightly raced son of super sire Dubawi and has shown plenty of ability in the northern hemisphere, winning the Listed King George V Cup in Ireland and being stakes placed in England and France including his third in the Group 1 Criterium International.
"I think Portland is a nice horse,'' Smith said. "I'm not sure about his best trip, he's probably a 2000m horse, although I know he has won at 2400m and has been placed in Group races over 1400m and 1600m.
"Although he hasn't raced for more than a year, we gave him a couple of trials last preparation before he went shin sore.
"But he is back and coming up nicely. I'm planning to kick him off at a mile (1600m) race in a couple of weeks.''
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