Tim's Tips for Lightning Stakes Day
TIM HABEL was a racing journalist with the Sun, then Herald-Sun for 36 years and now works as a contributor for The Age. His selections are published mid-week and each Saturday.
FLEMINGTON FEBRUARY 14, 2026, rail true, track good 4
RACE 1: ZAMBALES 1, Diameter 2, Shah Jahan 3, Hard Kick 4
RACE 2: FIORENOT 1, Sunsets 2, Chasing Aphrodite 3, Taka Speed 4
RACE 3: OLE DANCER 1, Custom 2 Sass Appeal 3, Next Jen 4
RACE 4: IMMORTAL STAR 1, Photograph 2, Perilous Fighter 3, Tango Jewel 4
RACE 5: NDOLA 1, Extratwo 2, Rue De Royale 3, Behaviour 4
RACE 6: SAINT GEORGE 1, Newfoundland 2, Stylish Secret 3, Berkely Square 4
RACE 7: SABAJ 1, Cafe Millenium 2, Matcha Latte 3, Birdman 4
In a race devoid of any natural leader, the rails draw is gold for Sabaj, likely the best horse in the race. Freshened since his luckless run in the Ingham in Sydney. Cafe Millenium loves the Flemington 1400m but is a backmarker as is Birdman while Sydney visitor Matcha Latte has claims.
RACE 8: TENTYRIS 1, Giga Kick 2, My Gladiola 3, Baraqiel 4
Great clash between rising star Tentyris and the established sprint champ Giga Kick. Leaning towards the colt.
RACE 9: SIXTIES 1, Asakura 2, West Of Swindon 3, Express Class 4
Another match in two, impossible to line up the form lines. Sixties is a Group 2 who impressed running down older horses resuming in Sydney while Asakura treated restricted rivals with disdain at Geelong.
RACE 10: PHILIA 1, Wrote To Arataki 2, Too Darn Discreet 3, Grid Girl 4
Queenslander raider Philia is high class and has trialled well for her return. Can race handy and with Grid Girl likely to apply more pressure on front runner and last year's winner Wrote To Arataki who had a picnic in front at Caulfield. Chance to Too Darn Discreet.
BEST BETS: Ole Dancer, Tentyris. VALUE: Ndola.
THE $20 FLEXI QUADDIE
1st leg: 1, 2, 5, 6
2nd leg: 1, 4
3rd leg: 2, 9
4th leg: 1, 3, 4
For a $20 outlay you would receive 41 per cent of a $1 dividend.