IMPERATRIZ SHOWS HER CLASS IN THE LIGHTNING STAKES

If you looked for racing symmetry today you could find it without looking too hard…

11 years after the world's dominant sprinting mare Black Caviar won her third Lightning Stakes, the dominant sprinting mare of this current generation took out the race that is now named in her honour.

Imperatriz resumed down the Flemington straight and won a ninth Group One with a mix of class and fight. She is conceivably the best horse on the planet at the moment.

In Sydney we had the running of the Apollo Stakes, five years after the mighty mare Winx won that race for the third time, in what was her 30th consecutive race victory.

Fittingly, on that anniversary it was another Chris Waller trained mare, the impressive Fangirl who took out the Apollo Stakes of 2024.

Neither horse yet has claim to the rankings of those predecessors, but sporting romantics should rejoice all the same.

Fangirl's win had an impact on the All Star Mile market, as did the surprise defeat of Jimmysstar who went down at $1.30 to Makram who traded as high as $890 in the run, and saluted with a BSP of $316.75!!

It was another glorious day of racing, with some remarkable Exchange stories. Here we look at the best of them.

BEST BACKED WINNERS

Last year, an individual horse was matched for over a $1 million on four occasions. Imperatriz was two of those, with the other two both coming in the Melbourne Cup.

Imperatriz didn't quite hit a $1 million today but he was clearly the best backed runner of the year so far.

Imperatriz (pictured) was matched for 77% of a total pool of nearly $1.2 million or just over $900,000.

Although a fair way short of the above volume, Fangirl was the best backed in Sydney with 70% of $450,000.

FIRMERS AND DRIFTERS

Shangri La Express (pictured) was a big drift to start the day at Randwick, with a swing from $3.10 out to $4.50 before running second.

Ain't He Grand also drifted in similar fashion at Eagle Farm in Race 2, from $3.02 out to $4.40 before running third.

In the same race Ella Te Ama firmed sharply but didn't win either.

In terms of the market drifts and firms being a reflection of what was to come, it was all down hill from there.

Eagle Farm saw two other huge firms that didn't come off. Black on Beauty was $5 into $3.30 in Race 4 and Quarantine Dreams was the biggest from $8.20 into $4.50 with both running second.

Pure Bliss was an unsuccessful firm at Morphettville in Race 2, from $3.30 into $2.48 before running third.

At Flemington it was similar with Wishlor Lass who firmed from $2.42 in to $1.84, and ditto Olentia at Randwick in Race 6 who moved from $3.30 into $2.48 before losing to Semana.

The day was topped off by Thunderlips drifting severely in the last at Randwick before winning anyway.

BAD BEATS AND IN-PLAY BOLTERS

We need to focus on the Elms Handicap at Flemington here.

Jimmysstar (pictured) was all the rage with a huge hold of matched volume leading in.

The third elect for the All Star Mile was expected to get the job done, and was matched for $10k at $1.30 or less.

In the same race, Makram caused the boil over of the year so far, storming past Jimmysstar to win on the line with a BSP of $316.75, and after trading in play for $890!

Race 6 at Morphettville saw a bunched finish with three horses trading as short priced favourite in the final 200m.

Devil's Dexter ($1.10), Never Surrender ($1.43) and Global Turn ($1.70) all eventually lost to Altruist who had jumped at $12.

PRICE ADVANTAGE

Makram has to top the list again here, with his BSP of $316.75 completely dwarfing Best Tote ($112.50) by 181.6%.

That is one of the best BSP's, in-play prices and price advantages you are ever likely to see.

The day at Flemington overall was a successful one for Exchange comparisons.

El Soleado's win in the first race came at 33.3% better, Aardvark was 17.2% better after a mini drift in Race 3, Rumbled Again (16.9%), Revolutionary Miss (32.2%), Grinzinger Belle (21%) and even Imperatriz (12.1%) were all a step ahead as well.

Overall given the price of some of the winners, you would have been over $1600 better off for a $10 outlay on all winners for the day.

The best at Randwick were Fays Angel (21.2%) in Race 3, King of Sparta (36.5%) in Race 5, Semana (20.5% in Race 6), Kimochi (34.2%) in the Light Fingers, and Thunderlips (24.2%) in the last.