The Black Caviar Lightning rightfully claims Australia’s elite sprint showdown status, as this Saturday’s Flemington feature will rank a captivating generation under the spotlight.

In the 1000m Group 1, expect returns from Golden Slipper winner Marhoona of last year, Golden Rose record-setter Beiwacht, and Coolmore Stud Stakes ace Tentyris.

Never before have same-year Slipper, Golden Rose, and Coolmore Group 1 winners locked horns since those races gained top-grade prestige.

Coolmore graduates often target the Lightning next, unlike winners of the prior two.

Exosphere is unique as a Group 1 Golden Rose winner racing the Lightning at three, with Crystal Lily and Stratum the solitary Slipper winners doing so the following season since 1990.

Crystal Lily met Black Caviar in 2011 en route to fifth place, echoing Stratum’s 2006 finish behind Takeover Target.

Three Slipper alumni sit on the Lightning winners’ list, last being Storm Queen in 1967.

Fifteen three-year-old boys and nine girls have prevailed in the Lightning, but post their 1998-2005 surge of six in eight, just Home Affairs (2021) and Coolangatta (2023) have won as juveniles.

Six three-year-old winners this century from 72 runners, below the nine expected by markets.

Only Home Affairs didn’t reach peak Timeform pre-race among those six, yet clocked 126 – equaling the century’s top three-year-old Lightning mark – shy one pound of his 127 Coolmore.

Of 72, 22 (30 percent) hit or topped previous bests, suffering average eight-pound regression.

This field’s Group 1 three-year-olds see Marhoona most desperate for uplift from 117 Golden Slipper, with no sub-118 Lightning winner since 2002’s Spinning Hill (114).

Beiwacht (123 Golden Rose) and Tentyris (124+ Coolmore Stud Stakes) top the 10-year 122.2 average since Black Caviar/Lankan Rupee’s 130+ feats.

Little room for decline exists in Saturday’s test against My Gladiola (112), Military Tycoon (103), and Giga Kick (back-to-back 122s last spring); explore the top racing betting markets ahead of the Black Caviar Lightning.

Giga Kick notched 122 first-up in the October 11 Group 2 1100m Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield, duplicating in Flemington’s Group 1 1200m Champions Sprint.

Group 1 winners Baraqiel (120 peak) and Benedetta (116) complete the field.

The post a-closer-look-black-caviar-lightning/882124 first appeared on Just Horse Racing.

The reaction among Barcelona fans to the latest news about Marcus Rashford speaks volumes

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Messages of support for Marcus Rashford have been flooding in from Barcelona fans following his recent injury setback.

The Manchester United loanee was ruled out of Thursday’s Copa del Rey semi-final first leg clash with Atletico Madrid after picking up a knock in Barca’s 3-0 La Liga win over Mallorca at the weekend.

The absence comes as a significant blow for both player and club, with Rashford enjoying an impressive run of form, scoring three goals and providing one assist in his last six appearances in all competitions.

Barcelona confirmed the injury on social media, sparking a wave of heartfelt messages from supporters wishing the forward a swift recovery.

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“Big miss. He was great the last game. Played through pain probably. Now missing Pedri, Raphina and Rashford for the away leg,” one fan wrote on X.

“That’s unlucky timing. He was just settling in,” commented another. “Speedy recovery Marcus Rashford. Come back stronger,” a third added, while a fourth said: “We wish him the best of luck.”

The reaction underlines just how highly Rashford is regarded at Camp Nou. The 28-year-old has settled seamlessly in Catalonia, scoring 10 goals in 34 appearances across all competitions.

Although he is due to return to Old Trafford when his season-long loan expires this summer, a permanent switch to Barcelona now looks most likely, with the La Liga club holding an option to buy the forward.

Even in the wake of his latest injury setback, the outpouring of support from supporters has not wavered, with many already viewing Rashford as one of their own – support that could help pave the way for a summer transfer.

It isn’t the first time the England international has made a strong impression while out on loan. He spent the second half of last season at Aston Villa, earning widespread praise for his performances and overall contribution.

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That spell also helped revive his England career, with Three Lions head coach Thomas Tuchel handing him eight caps in 2025 – a sharp rise from just one appearance the previous year.

Having fallen out with then-United manager Ruben Amorim, a second loan move away from Old Trafford was agreed that summer. Rashford’s United career appeared all but over, but with Amorim now gone, the door has been left ajar for a potentially sensational return.

However, while interim head coach Michael Carrick is reportedly keen to reintegrate him into the squad, Rashford has made it clear that his preference is to remain at Barcelona beyond the end of the season. “What I want is to stay at Barca,” he said back in December.

“That’s the ultimate goal, but it’s not the reason I train hard and give my all. The purpose is to win. From the moment I arrived, I felt very welcome. For me, the reason I’m here is to help the team win trophies.”

The best Light Cones for Yao Guang in Honkai Star Rail should provide all the necessary stats that could give the character an edge in the battle. However, picking the right option can be tricky considering the 5-star character uses the power of Elation. Players have limited ideas regarding how the Path operates in combat.

All they have to work with is Yao Guang’s ability to deploy a special field to buff teammates’ Elation stats. Unfortunately, she has limited synergy with the available roster as of writing. Regardless, if you are still planning to summon and build the 5-star general, this article is for you. It explores some of the best Light Cones for Yao Guang in Honkai Star Rail.

Best 5-star Light Cones for Yao Guang in Honkai Star Rail

When She Decided to See

We have deemed three different Light Cones suitable for building Yao Guang, including her signature option in Honkai Star Rail. Known as When She Decided to See, the 5-star LC grants 18% SPD to the wearer and generates Great Fortune when they use Ultimate on an ally. The effect increases squad members’ CRIT Rate by 10% and CRIT DMG by 30%.

Additionally, Yao Guang will get a 12% Energy Regeneration Rate via Great Fortune. The effect is also triggered when she enters combat, meaning she will be able to obtain Ultimate points each turn. Besides, the Light Cone bolsters Yao Guang’s support potential, allowing her to buff teammates’ critical stats.

Best 4-star Light Cones for Yao Guang in Honkai Star Rail

1) Today’s Good Luck

Today’s Good Luck is a 4-star Light Cone that was added to the battle pass during the Honkai Star Rail 4.0 update. It boasts some impressive passives that Yao Guang can benefit from. For starters, the LC increases the wearer’s CRIT Rate by 12%, which ensures a consistent damage output from her attacks.

As such, you can use Yao Guang as a sub-DPS. However, the 12% Elation boost from the LC will be particularly useful.

2) Mushy Shroomy’s Adventures

Mushy Shroomy’s Adventures is the best free-to-play Light Cone for Yao Guang in Honkai Star Rail. It rolls with a slightly lower ATK stat but grants a 12% Elation boost to the wearer. Casting the Elation skill will further increase the DMG taken by all enemies by 6%.

The extra Elation will improve the effectiveness of Yao Guang’s special zone and improve her persona damage.