For the first time in a while, Black Caviar found herself in a real race. And at the end she looked a little tired. She actually looked mortal.
Black Caviar came to Randwick, bringing a sell-out crowd of 23,188 people with her. And she won – that’s what Black Caviar does.
But not since her courageous victory at Royal Ascot have I learnt as much about Black Caviar as I did on Saturday.
The 2013 TJ Smith (1200m, Group 1, weight-for-age) was a fair-dinkum horse race. This was a heavyweight fight – Black Caviar and Luke Nolen in one corner and ten combatants in the other.
Individually the ten combatants had no chance of victory but if they fought together they knew there was some hope. So the blowtorch was put to Black Caviar.
In a hot first 600m, Rain Affair, with Corey Brown aboard, carved out a slick 33.59s on a rain-affected track.
It left the entire field – including Black Caviar – vulnerable, if not weary, late. The final 600m was completed in 36.09s, the slowest of all the Australian races Black Caviar has contested. The times may’ve been hampered by a damp track but this was six furlongs of attrition.
I’ve believed for a long time the best time to assess a horse is in a fast-run race. The form is more genuine; the cream rises to the top; and the results tend to stand up.
If that’s the case, we must conclude Black Caviar is at least three lengths better than the next best sprinters in Australia.
The TJ Smith line-up was complete – there was no big-name horse missing; every Australian sprinter capable of taking it to Black Caviar was present.
Yet only the late-closing, Epaulette, lightly-weighted under weight-for-age conditions, was even marginally close at the death.
For two and a half seasons now, Black Caviar has been the best sprinter in the world. It’s been a long stint at the top, especially for a mare.
But the most telling conclusion I made after the TJ Smith was this: If Black Caviar is to face a serious challenge, where defeat is a possibility, she needs to step up to 1400m.
But, if she does (and I don’t she think will) I could envisage Pierro or All Too Hard beating her.
Legends have to be assessed harshly – it’s only the standard they deserve. And if I’m being harsh, I think Black Caviar – a legend in her own right – would be in serious danger of defeat if she met Pierro or All Too Hard in a 1400m race led by Rain Affair, or any other horse, in a sub 34-second first 600m section.
But there is no shame in this. For the record, Pierro and All Too Hard would also be in serious danger of defeat if they met Black Caviar in a fast-run 1400m race.
And, more obviously, Black Caviar would be moving out of her distance range (1000-1200m) to race Pierro and All Too Hard at their pet range (1400-1600m).
Broadly-speaking, there’s two types of throughbreds in Australian racing – sprinters and everyone else.
To categorise – the latter can win at almost any distance if they good enough and trained for it. The former, on the other hand, can only win at shorter trips.
You can train speed into a stayer but it’s almost impossible to train stamina into a sprinter.
Lee Freedman’s Mahogany won two Derbies (2500m and 2400m respectively) at three. As a four-year old, he won the 1995 Lightning (1000m) before finishing a nose second in the Cox Plate (2040m) of the same year.
Freedman also trained Makybe Diva through the latter part of her career. After she was retired following her third Melbourne Cup (3200m), he told the media that given the chance, he would’ve aimed her at the following autumn’s Newmarket Handicap (1200m).
Makybe Diva is perhaps Australia’s most celebrated post-war stayer. She won at distances ranging 1400-3200m.
Of Australia’s most celebrated sprinters – Vain, Luskin Star, Manikato and Black Caviar – only Manikato won at a distance longer than a mile. He did it only once – over 1800m.
Those, including me, who at various points have called on Black Caviar to step up to a mile were probably asking for too much. Those wanting the mare to run in a Cox Plate or Melbourne Cup (3200m) – crazy.
And that’s probably why Black Caviar’s legacy is one going to be one of the strangest in history.
Over almost everyone else Black Caviar has an undefeated record but so many other champions ran over all sorts of distances.
On what we’ve seen of Black Caviar she deserves to stand alongside the absolute top echelon of Australian racing history.
But Black Caviar’s CV pales in comparison to that of Carbine, Phar Lap, Tulloch and even Kingston Town (whom she surpassed on Saturday for Group 1 wins) – who won at all distances; in all conditions; against all-comers.
And that’s because Black Caviar is a sprinter – aimed at the handful of suitable races each season and, by extension, kept to racing the same group of horses most of the time.
Black Caviar’s biggest weapon – her speed – is her biggest limiter.
I may go to the races for another 60 or 70 years and never watch a horse as good as Black Caviar again – I can’t pay a nicer complement.
But, as far as I’m concerned, the greatest sprinter can’t be the greatest horse.
tilt10
Guest
Only a good horse no champion. Was placed to win races not to be a champion Wouldn't rate against Vain Todman or Luskin Star. Average winning margin of only 3.1 lengths . Never raced over 1400 until five, What a powderpuff. Like Col Tidy and Ken Callender said 'Vain was the best sprinter by a long "
warwick
Guest
Two things stand out to my mind regarding BC. First she was never beaten in any of her races. No other horse in this country has EVER done that at the top level. That must be remembered as most of her races were at the highest level. I.E Group 1. Regardless of what horses she raced against and her one race at handicap conditions saw her carry a weight record for a mare and set a race record so easily. Second, I cannot think of a single race, where she was pushed anywhere near to her limit by the jockey. Even at Ascot she had the race well in hand and should have won by a length, before Nolen's brain fade and despite injury. To me , she stands as the best sprinter of all time and as at least an equal to the other greatest horses in this country
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Hang on, I was giving exact reason why she wouldn't lose! :)
beny iniesta
Guest
She's not the greatest. You need to read up on Phar Lap and Kingston Town for starters. Have a look at all the most presitigious races around the world - they are not sprints. I am personally very disappointed that she never stepped up for a mile and then set for a Cox Plate, perhaps even a Caulfield Cup? (Probably a stretch, but that would depend on how the Cox Plate went). I would have loved to see her take on and beat a quality field around Moonee Valley in the Cox Plate. Pierro had a go - and didn't come through - but the trainers/ owners have my respect for having a go. Very good horse - but no legend. What was the biggest field she beat? For an interesting comparison - how many horses did Black Caviar beat home in her career? And how many did the likes of Phar Lap, Kingston Town or Sunline beat? Or Makybe Diva for that matter. In 3 Melbourne Cups alone Makybe Diva beat home near on 70 horses - that would equate to perhaps 10 or 12 or so Black Caviar race wins right there!
Andrew C (waikato)
Guest
Right on Sheek & Justin; you've mentioned both Phar Lap & Carbine ........ look @ Rising Fast too ( I know his intimately because I've read the book on him upteen times :) ) >>>. look at the stakesraces he won & the quality >>> http://www.pedigreequery.com/index.php?h=rising+fast2&query_type=stakes&search_bar=stakes&field=all ......................... and as for Tulloch here's his record >>> http://www.pedigreequery.com/index.php?h=tulloch&query_type=stakes&search_bar=stakes&field=all ................. Black Caviar is a Champion Sprinter, but the best horse ever to race in Australia (& or NZ) ? ....... never, mate !!!
ausi
Guest
Vains Champagne was 1200 metres
ausi
Guest
Now that you are on to humans - there is one classical example of freakishness. All (or at least the vast majority) consider Dawn Fraser the greatest female swimmer we have produced - this is an obvious nonsense - she was purely a sprinter - beaten by Lorraine Crapp in the 56 400 metres. Who is the greatest female swimmer of all time anywhere?? - easy - Shane Gould - held EVERY world freestyle record at the same time 100 - 1500 metres and medley gold as well. - age 16!!. Then retired - too much pressure on a still schoolgirl - wonderful and never mentioned as she should be. Sprinter and stayer
ausi
Guest
Your last sentence is just plain wrong - Vain much superior, Manikato - look at his record, Todman a fragile freak (remember he ran an Australian record for 5 F at his first start as a 2 yo). For utter blistering speed Biscay!! BC lasted longer than all except Manikato and that tends to tilt people her way, but get real - a top sprinter in a weak era, very well placed.
nan
Guest
it dont matter any more- They couldnt beat her they knew that thats why they bypassed her now a legend is gone But not forgotton the new yardstick. Is it Mirracles of lifes turn
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Cotts, I'm all with that plan - if they could pull that off it would be awesome. But we may be a little guilty of getting ahead of ourselves a wee bit.... I remember Balmerino well, and he certainly didn't disgrace himself in France. Also fondly remembered in the excellent "Brotown" cartoon series...
Glenn
Guest
It's just a shame IAD hasn't been tested at the 1000 or 1200 metres at the highest level. When he wins a Newmarket or a Lightning Stakes, or even a TJ Smith, then he might be considered a great horse. Right?
Glenn
Guest
For godsake. Pathetic? For enjoying the moment of leading in the horse? Fair dinkum.
Cotts
Guest
Allanthus, I mentioned the Arc because its a prestige thing. Looks pretty imposing on a stallion's CV. Kiwi Balmerino (one of the best horses I have seen race in the flesh) went close in 77 and IAD looks like he could surpass him in ability. Let him have his romp through Australian racing as a maturing 4 year old, Europe and the Arc awaits as a 5 year old. I'm practicing my kitchen table discussions just in case, one day...
peeeko
Roar Guru
Well we will never know because she has never raced at 1600m. Do you really thinkbthatcconnections would come out and say they are protecting her? But it is obvious that have been
Bondy
Whats hard for sprinters or BC inparticular is what do we do this for ? Breeding @ Prizemoney, but overall its the breeding of the animal that gets evaluated and what do people find best particular with a horse "stamnina and endurnace" all the traits that sprinters don't have,somebodys made the point the racing fraternity doesn't rate sprinters, because everything has been built around classics racing Derbies, Oaks's and Cups that tradition has stood for over 150 years, I see that to be the ingrained psyche of this nation. Manikato was the first sprinter to win a mill, she's made him historically look like a Gr 3-2 horse. Food for thought.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Cotts, I'm not sure about the Arc, but I am fascinated about where they will head with IAD. If they're convinced he can run a strong 2 miles then it will obviously be the Melb Cup, but already this year's version looks like being a hot race. If they're not really sure about the distance, and I think I heard some rumblings to that effect, then they'd be taking a big risk just setting him for that and potentially missing some of the pickings along the way. And it's no longer the type of race to pick up as an afterthought. So what are the other options? Cox Plate? I kind of like the idea of him sweeping off the camber to round them up in a few strides, and (if we can forget about Pinker Pinker for a second) it's our best race after all. But I think he's better at 2400m not 2000m. Caulfield Cup? Would seem to be the right distance, but big field on a tight track, not sure that's really his go. Metropolitan? Right distance, right way of going, obviously well worth winning but this would be aiming too low now. Wouldn't you love to be sitting around the kitchen table, owning a horse like that, trying to nut it all out?
johnny nevin is a legend
Guest
It's hardly Ocean Parks fault he was retired with injury, he won a strong renewal of the Cox Plate and connections were willing to give it a go abroad. His legacy will live on in the strength of Pierros and ATHs future performances.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Cotts, when I sat down to write this article, I actually planned to write a bit about Frankel. He's by far the best turf horse I've seen in real life, on replay or on TV. His win over 10.5f in last August's International Stakes was phenomenal - greatest middle distance performance I've ever seen. That was the fastest run mile and a quarter I've ever seen. There were four pacemakers engaged and Frankel's pacemaker Bullet Train raced in fourth position such was the speed. This was Frankel's first attempt beyond a mile and the acid was put to him. If he was to crack it was to going to be that day... But he was miles too good. He won like IAD did on Saturday- coming clear. I look back at that win and think Frankel would win over any distance. He is the greatest.
Cotts
Guest
Vain won at a mile (third race start in seven days) and Manikato was defeated over 10 furlongs (a lip by Dulcify!). Gunsynd and Mahogony seemed to go around in everything that had a starting gate, so there is plenty of evidence to suggest good horses can adapt when given the right opportunity. Frankel's range of racing was restricted to between 7 and 10.5 furlongs but no-one seems to be pointing the finger at him. Not quite a sprinter and not quite a stayer, but rated the best ever? Perhaps the best thing that could have happened was for BC to have been beaten early on, then we might have seen a bit more experimentation with her. However, she wasn't beaten and I don't think in all honesty, that if I were an owner I would done anything differently. By the way, was anybody else thinking how good IAD would look in the 2014 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe?
nan
Guest
well said cameron- Why are we asking her to carry massive weights to prove herself and yet we dont hear it for other champions.Haylist carried .5kgs more than BC to win their respective newmarkets. I bet there would be no calls for Haylist to carry 63kgs in a newmarket to prove himself. And Royal punter you need to understand WFA racing BC doesnt set the rules nor do the connections or trainer. Every other star horse gets the same treatment. Lastly Champion means one thing to me you do it over long periods - Ocean park was called a champion on the back of one spring season- to my mind we throw the tag out so freely - Ocean park disappointing since cox plate win