Vrc Lightning Stakes

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The Lightning Stakes is a Group 1 race held at Flemington racecourse in Melbourne. It is usually held in late January, or early February each year. It is a high quality sprint race held over 1000 metres at weight-for-age conditions and carrying prize money of $500,000.

The race is the first of the Group 1 races held in the new calendar year and attracts a large crowd every year. It is also the first leg of the Global Sprint Challenge, which is a series of 8 sprint races held in Australia, Hong Kong and Japan and very prestigious.

It was first run in 1955 and upgraded to Group 1 status in 1987. Notable winners include Apache Cat, Miss Andretti, Takeover Target, Testa Rossa, Zeditave and Storm Queen. It was won last year by Scenic Blast.

The race itself is the premier weight-for-age 1000 metre spring event during the Autumn carnival and will always attract a strong field every year. Horses who are successful in the Australia Stakes held a fortnight earlier usually back up in the Lightning Stakes, while this race is used as a lead up to important Group 1 races such as the Newmarket Handicap and Futurity Stakes.