Lightning could be the making of Maher’s Empire

Trainer Ciaron Maher is desperate to secure a maiden Group 1 success for the son of Zoustar.

The three-year-old came close in the last October's Manikato Stakes (1200m), beaten in the last stride by stablemate Southport Tycoon, and was placed in The Everest and Coolmore Stud Stakes but hasn't been able to land the elite-level win his owner Yulong craves.

His likely plan is to go to the Group 1  Yulong Newmarket Handicap (1200m) then the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) after the 1000-metre Lightning, but Maher would love to get a Group 1 win as early as possible to open up options, such as a trip overseas.

"It all depends on what he does, hopefully he wins first time out and then he's got options to do whatever you want," Maher said.

Growing Empire is one of the key players in a $1mil Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) that also features fellow colts Switzerland, Traffic Warden and Espionage, along with Benedetta and Growing Empire's stablemate I Am Me.

The Black Caviar Lighting has been Growing Empire's goal ever since the Coolmore Stud Stakes, when he dead-heated with Lady Of Camelot for third, albeit three lengths behind Switzerland, but Maher is confident the winner of four of his eight starts still has room to improve.

"He's only going to keep improving, he's a raw horse, and he still did little things a little bit wrong last time around so he's still going to keep furnish mentally and physically," Maher said.

The Black Caviar Lightning will be the first start for I Am Me since finishing towards the rear in the $3mil Russell Balding Stakes (1300m) in early November, but that daughter of I Am Invincible won the Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) and Group 2 The Shorts (1100m) earlier in the campaign.

I Am Me has had two 800m trials at Cranbourne this time, for fifth and a fourth placings when not knocked around, and Maher is confident she is primed to run well fresh.

"She was very good early last preparation, 1000 metres suits and she has come up really well," he said.

"Her trial the other day was great and she can mix it when she's right."

The Black Caviar Lightning is the feature event of Saturday's Flemington card, which also feature the Group 3 C S Hayes Stakes, for which Goldrush Guru, Henlein and Feroce are among the entries.