Spoilt and loved is how Canberra's last Black Opal Stakes winner has spent his days in retirement.

Gratz Vella has issued a warning to ignore American Time’s Lightning Ridge run, and expects his filly to perform strongly in today’s Black Opal Stakes.

Group 1 placegetter Karuta Queen is the unlikely culprit preventing Canberra’s iconic Black Opal Stakes from an upgrade to Group status.