Speed machines Redzel and Nature Strip are set to go head to head down the Flemington straight on Saturday in the Group 1 $750,000 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m).

Redzel, above, is among the nominations for the 2020 Black Caviar Lightning at Flemington. Photo by Steve Hart.

The Chris Waller trained Nature Strip is undefeated from four starts down the famous Flemington straight with his best win there being during the 2019 Melbourne Spring Carnival with his all the way three and a quarter lengths victory in the Group 1 $2m Darley Sprint Classic (1200m).

Co-trainer Peter Snowden, who trains in partnership with his son Paul, threw down the gauntlet when he revealed that Redzel also has a liking for the Flemington straight and said that his two times The Everest winner will be using his natural speed in the 1000m dash.

“Nature Strip is a good horse and he’s going very well. He likes Flemington and we have got a pretty good record there too, especially over 1000m. It will be handlebars down and just ‘full on speed’,” Peter Snowden told the Herald Sun.

“It’s a race. You can’t pick and choose who you run against and we’re up for the challenge.”

Nature Strip and Redzel have both looked impressive in recent barrier trial wins at Warwick Farm and Randwick respectively, and both are among the thirteen sprinters nominated for Saturday’s Black Caviar Lightning.

Bookies at Ladbrokes.com.au have installed Nature Strip as the $1.60 favourite for the Black Caviar Lightning while Redzel is marked at $8.

Early betting for the 2020 Black Caviar Lightning at Ladbrokes.com.au: $1.60 Nature Strip, $6.50 Loving Gaby, $7 Libertini, $8 Redzel, $12 Gytrash, $13 Tofane, $14 I Am Immortal, $26 Despatch, I Am Excited, $31 Miss Leonidas $41 Dirty Work, Gift Of Power, $151 Queen Annabel.

Nominations for the 2020 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m)