Paul Daily has Flying Artie and Star Turn on top of his 2017 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes tips and the form expert is happy to back both horses in the Group 1 event at Flemington tomorrow.
Flying Artie is one of the horses to beat in the 2017 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes. Photo by: Ultimate Racing Photos
Flying Artie and Star Turn are somewhat unknown quantities at this level – although Star Turn did beat the older horses in the Schillaci Stakes – but Daily told Racing HQ this morning that he believes that the three-year-olds have a clear edge over the likes of Terravista, Spieth and The Quarterback.
“I think that the three-year-old colts have got it between them under the conditions here,” Daily said.
“I think that we can make a profit by backing both, but Star Turn looks to have come back a better horse this preparation.
“He has trialed better than he has previously, but Flying Artie has his measure in races to date.
“They have met on three occasions now with Flying Artie winning on all three occasions over Star Turn.
“I do think that Star Turn has the capacity to win this race and he will have the chance to run the sectionals that I believe this horse is capable of doing.
“I would be happy to back both of them.”
Flying Artie and Star Turn have previously done battle on four occasions and Flying Artie has had the clear edge over his rival.
They did battle for the first time in the Group 3 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) at Caulfield in February last year and Flying Artie claimed a very narrow victory.
Flying Artie beat Star Turn home by over five lengths in the Group 1 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield a weekend later and the son of Artie Schiller edged Star Turn again in the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 19.
The two colts only met on one occasion as three-year-olds and it was Flying Artie that once again claimed victory in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Victoria Derby as he finished over the top of Star Turn, who took up the running.
Flying Artie and Star Turn are both currently available at 2017 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes odds of $4.60 with Ladbrokes and they are favourites from Spieth ($5), Supido ($7.50), Heatherly ($8.50) and Terravista ($8.50).
