Royal Ascot options open for Skybird after shock Lighting success

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Leading representatives from Coolmore, Godolphin and Yulong all fell to the wayside after 25-1 shot Skybird surged to a shock victory in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes. 

The Exosphere filly had raced over six and seven furlongs last year but thrived on the drop back in trip at Flemington, shooting into action within the final furlong and sweeping past all nine of her rivals to win by a length. 

The explosive turn of foot was a rewarding sight for trainer Mitchell Freedman, who had opted for this trip for the dual Grade 2 winner over the longer Oakleigh Plate. 

"We've always thought that she's a sprinter and we'd get back to these trips once she matured up and she knew what her job was. She's been super throughout," Freedman told racing.com.

The £495,050 sprint has traditionally teed the winner up for a visit to Royal Ascot, with Choisir (2003), Takeover Target (2006), Miss Andretti (2007) and Scenic Blast (2009) all scoring in the King Charles III Stakes following success in this Group 1 race, and a trip abroad is not off the cards for Skybird after Saturday's impressive success. 

"I couldn't believe how well I was going," said jockey John Allen, who was scoring at the top level for the first time in over a year. 

"I was following Switzerland; halfway up the straight I was going to stay on his back and try and follow him through, but I was going that easy I just had to come off and try and find my own path. 

"She quickened up and put the race to bed very quickly. To be honest, from about the halfway mark she just felt like she couldn't get beat."

Jockey John Allen poses with trainer Mitchell Freedman after Skybird's win at FlemingtonCredit: Getty Images

Coolmore's Group 1 winner Switzerland was the hot favourite under James McDonald but suffered for being crowded by the field and could only manage fourth, while Godolphin's Traffic Warden and Yulong's Growing Empire finished fifth and seventh respectively.

It was a day that instead belonged to the fillies and mares, who filled out the top three placings in the feature event after Stretan Angel finished ahead of Benedetta.

Racing Victoria stewards noted Skybird pulled up lame in the left foreleg, and she will need veterinary clearance before her next race.

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