Untapped four-year-old King Pulse will be among contenders trying to topple Black Caviar for the first time in the Lightning Stakes at Flemington.The gelding was among 13 nominations for Saturday's 1000-metre weight-for-age sprint but was also entered for The Big 6 Hcp (1200m)."We were planning to run in the 1200 metre race but it worried us that it would be pretty tough on him because he hasn't had a run for such a long time," trainer Mike Moroney said."He is not well placed at weight-for-age b
Untapped four-year-old King Pulse will be among contenders trying to topple Black Caviar for the first time in the Lightning Stakes at Flemington.
The gelding was among 13 nominations for Saturday's 1000-metre weight-for-age sprint but was also entered for The Big 6 Hcp (1200m).
"We were planning to run in the 1200 metre race but it worried us that it would be pretty tough on him because he hasn't had a run for such a long time," trainer Mike Moroney said.
"He is not well placed at weight-for-age by any means but 1000 metres seems better for him than 1200 even though it will be a stronger field."
King Pulse has been off the scene for 11 months after being badly injured in the devastating hailstorm that hit Flemington minutes after he finished fourth to Black Caviar's stablemate Wanted in the Newmarket Handicap (1200m).
The chestnut suffered a hairline shoulder blade fracture and a dropped hip when he took fright in the storm but Moroney said he was encouraged by his recovery and keen on his chances of regaining his best form.
"He seems to be back where he was," Moroney said.
"He has trialled up very well and won a jump out quite impressively last week."
King Pulse has only raced four times, featuring two impressive wins at Geelong and Caulfield and a Group One second to Headway when beaten in a photo finish in the 2009 Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.
"He is untapped and we will be happy if he is competitive on Saturday," Moroney said.
Black Caviar has won every one of her eight starts and is rated the best sprinter in the world.
Trainer Peter Moody is expected to be sounded out this week about taking Black Caviar to England for the Royal Ascot feature sprints in June.
At this stage the stable is focused on running the Bel Esprit mare in a succession of Group One autumn and winter sprints in Australia - Melbourne's Lightning, Newmarket Handicap and William Reid Stakes; Sydney's T J Smith Stakes and Brisbane's BTC Cup and Doomben 10,000.
While King Pulse could be a rising star, the focus on Saturday will be on the rematch of Black Caviar and Hay List.
The last time the pair met was in the Group One Patinack Farm Classic in Melbourne Cup week when Black Caviar streaked away to a four-length win while Hay List punctured to finish sixth of the seven runners, more than 11 lengths behind.
On that occasion Hay List raced way below his best after having an injury prone lead-up but was clocked at 32.5s for his last 600m in track gallop at Gosford on Saturday.
Golden Slipper winner Crystal Lily; former Lightning Stakes placegetter Grand Duels; Black Caviar's stablemate Set For Fame, Stirling Grove, True Persuasion and three-year-old filly Warm Love are also among the Lightning entries.
Hinchinbrook, Tollesprit and Verdasco hold entries in the Lightning and The Big 6 while Happy Glen is nominated in both races as well as the Henry Bucks Best Dressed (1400m).