Lightning set to be among the best ever Crack colt Anamoe still one to beat

SATURDAY 3.25PM

Reigning champ Nature Strip headlines one of the best fields arguably assembled for the Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington. The world’s premier sprinter will tackle eight rivals in the $1m feature, which includes Group 1 winners Eduardo, Masked Crusader and Home Affairs. Rounding out the field are The Inferno, The Astrologist, Swat’s That and Profiteer. Nature Strip, who beat Eduardo and Masked Crusader in The Everest, is on the verge of his 20th career win, and victory in the Lightning would be his eighth in a Group 1.

Anamoe $1.80, Converge $5.50

SATURDAY 3.45PM

Cox Plate runner-up Anamoe is an odds-on favourite in the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes, but faces strong competition. Despite his surprise defeat when first-up in the Expressway Stakes, bookies are taking no chances with the Godolphin star who won last year’s Caulfield Guineas. Eskimo Prince Stakes placegetters Ranch Hand and Converge won’t be pushovers, particularly the latter, who will enjoy the step up in distance. Silent Impact is currently double-figure odds but will be competitive, and VRC Derby runner-up Alegron resumes.