Reigning Australian Sportswoman of the Year Black Caviar will step out at Flemington this afternoon for the first time since Royal Ascot last June, as the champion mare looks to make it 23 from 23. We’ll have live updates during the race at 4.30pm AEDT.
She’s one of the greatest horses ever seen in Australia but a relatively narrow win in the Group One Diamond Jubilee Stakes in England last year nearly spelt the end for Black Caviar.
After a spell of nearly eight months, the six-year-old queen of the turf has trialled exceptionally and Peter Moody has said recently that it’s hard to remember the horse being in such good physical condition.
Today she lines up in an eight-horse field to try and become the first horse to win three Lightning Stakes, which has been renamed the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes for the afternoon.
Already Black Caviar sits in illustrious company in winning two Lightning Stakes, with the likes of Mahogany, Schillaci and Sky High also twice tasting success in the five-furlong sprint.
The quality of such horses, and the fact that Sky High and Schillaci both failed in their bid for a third, should indicate that Peter Moody’s mare is set for a tough time this afternoon.
But that won’t be the case.
Stablemate Moment Of Change has tasted Group One success in the Sir Rupert Clarke last year, and First Command and Satin Shoes have both placed at Group One level, but none of them look like a Hay List that could possibly cause an upset.
Indeed, the $1.06 currently being offered by Sportsbet is indicative that the chances of a boilover are slim at best.
Should you not have the $10,000 or more required to make wagering interesting on Black Caviar, sit back and enjoy one of the finest racehorses you are likely to ever see in full flight from 4.30pm AEDT.
Chad Bennett
Editor
But future races are for that - the future. We'll likely see Moody give her one last Autumn campaign on that form. Fantastic to see such a horse perform at that level, again and again and again. Thanks for following along, enjoy the rest of the sporting weekend.
Chad Bennett
Editor
And that is that. Black Caviar has skipped effortlessly away from her rivals at the 200m and streeted her rivals in a sign that Black Caviar might not yet be done. It makes it 23 from 23 races, and that is 13 Group Ones titles for the champion mare, with the win taking her total prizemoney of $7 million. While we're on it, she becomes the first horse in history to win the Lightning Stakes three times, better the two that have been won by the likes of Mahogany, Sky High and Schillaci. Of the beaten brigade, the second-placed Moment of Change doesn't look to be a bad type. Keep in mind for future races where the 4yo gelding ISN'T having to race against the greatest horse of all time.
Chad Bennett
Editor
Neither Nolen nor Moody given anything away in terms of where, if anywhere, Black Caviar will go next. Any ideas?
Chad Bennett
Editor
Luke Nolen being interviewed now, saying he was careful not to let his guard down after what nearly happened at Royal Ascot.
Chad Bennett
Editor
An "emotional" Peter Moody is interviewed after the race, speaking in hushed tones about the horse that made him what he is with a tear in his eye. Emotional? Sure there is absolutely no element of surprise in this, you'd have been prepared well in advance for what was going to unfold.
Chad Bennett
Editor
FINAL RESULT 6. Black Caviar ($1.10F) T: Peter Moody, J: Luke Nolen 3. Moment Of Change ($19) 2. Golden Archer ($51) 7. Satin Shoes ($61)
Chad Bennett
Editor
SURPRISE!! No, not really. Black Caviar ($1.10F) rolls to the front at the 400m and by the 250m the race is well over. It's a 2.5L win, and according to Channel Seven she has run 55:42, which is a course record.
Chad Bennett
Editor
Into within 400m, Black Caviar dominating.
Chad Bennett
Editor
Satin Shoes looking good out wide, Black Caviar coasting on the inside.
Chad Bennett
Editor
And racing, Black Caviar away well.
Chad Bennett
Editor
Ready for a start!
Chad Bennett
Editor
Final prediction: 6-7-3-2
Chad Bennett
Editor
Less than one minute from a start, they're behind the barriers now. Doesn't seem to be anything holding the race up, and we should be away soon.
Chad Bennett
Editor
Of course, this is to place. Make no mistake whatsoever, this WILL be a procession, and Black Caviar will coast all the way to finishing post.
Chad Bennett
Editor
Turning to the other contenders, I'm looking at possibly the other Peter Moody runner, Moment Of Change, and possibly Shamexpress. Eight placings (five wins) from nine starts looks good for Moment of Change, which will be piloted by Linda Meech out of gate three. Shamexpress will be ridden by Group One Glen Boss and is trained by Danny O'Brien. The Flemington trainer's record at the home track is exceptional, and has placed five times in eight starts.
Chad Bennett
Editor
Still around 10 minutes from a start, horses are now into the mounting yard. Unsurprisingly, Black Caviar looks very composed.
Chad Bennett
Editor
Taking a look at the markets actually shows that Black Caviar has been very easy in the market, drifting from the opening quote of 1.05/1.06 to around 1.10, and even 1.14 on the exchanges. So the logical next comment would be to examine who has actually been reeled in. But only Satin Shoes and Spirit Cent have come in, and they're still at 61 and 201 respectively on Sportsbet.
Chad Bennett
Editor
We're about 25 minutes away from a start at Flemington - as expected, all the attention is on racing's golden girl, Black Caviar.
Chad Bennett
Editor
Good afternoon Roarers.