Home Affairs ($7) has taken out a thrilling Black Caviar Lightning down the Flemington straight on Saturday, holding off Nature Strip in a photo finish.
The three-year-old Chris Waller colt put in a brave performance against some more experienced rivals, making the most of a tardy start from superstar Nature Strip to collect a second Group 1 victory.
Stablemate Nature Strip was a $2.20 pre-race favourite but was slow coming out of the gates, seeing it shuffled back a length or two.
Jamie Kah was able to guide Nature Strip to the outside and give Home Affairs a serious challenge for the lead but the speedster couldn’t quite overhaul the winner.
HOME AFFAIRS WINS THE BLACK CAVIAR LIGHTNING FROM NATURE STRIP! pic.twitter.com/TRQD2hhBcT
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) February 19, 2022
Second favourite Eduardo was third across the line but didn’t have the kick required when it counted.
"It was a tragedy from the start for Nature Strip unfortunately," Waller said after the race.
"He didn't just get one knock, he then got a sandwich as well so for him to recover like that and run so close, I think it probably makes it disappointing for the connections.
Relive the start of the Black Caviar Lightning.
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) February 19, 2022
Nature Strip copped a few bumps. pic.twitter.com/TwCoHSi5s3
"The new boy on the block, Home Affairs, it was a big gamble bringing him here today, he simply raced against the young horses and dominated last preparation and now he's come back and beaten the best at weight-for-age, so pretty exciting heading forward."