Sprint sensation Black Caviar stretched her unbeaten run to 16 races at Flemington on Saturday as talk of a Royal Ascot appearance intensified.
Sprint star pockets 16th consecutive victory
Sprint sensation Black Caviar stretched her unbeaten run to 16 races at Flemington on Saturday as talk of a Royal Ascot appearance intensified.
The world's top-rated sprinter pulled thousands of extra spectators through the gates on the final afternoon of the Spring Carnival, many waving pink and black spotted flags - the colours of her silks.
Her seventh Group One win came against six rivals in the Patinack Farm Classic. The local tote paid out no dividend - which can be announced when runners are shorter than 1-20 - such was the formality of the day's proceedings.
Buffering offered token resistance, leading for the first four and a half furlongs, but was unable to keep up with Black Caviar's effortless rolling stride. She eventually won by two and three-quarter lengths, but it could have easily been more.
Trainer Peter Moody now has to provide her with different challenges, starting off with a step up to seven furlongs and then to bring her to Europe, almost certainly for the Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.
"She got the job done and it's a relief to see her do it again," said Moody.
Gratetful
"She can only beat what's there and they are all Group horses behind her but once again, she's toyed with them.
"She's one hell of a horse. I'm just grateful to be a small part of it."
Moody has already announced the five-year-old's likely schedule, with the Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot racecourse in Perth on November 19 the next date in the diary.
Racing fanatics are desperate for what would be a clash of the ages between Black Caviar and Frankel and there was even frivolous talk of a match race being arranged.
But Sir Henry Cecil is likely to try Frankel over longer distances and Moody will not contemplate Black Caviar running a mile under British conditions, so it appears almost inconceivable.
Looking further ahead, Moody added: "Every option is open but the two definite races are the Orr and the Futurity back in Melbourne in February.
"I think she'll improve when she goes over seven, I really do. I'm dying to try her over a mile, but I'd want to do that over a flat track out here rather than anywhere else.
"So if she doesn't stay seven here, she won't be able to do six over in the Golden Jubilee. The only double I'd like to do over in England would be the July Cup and Golden Jubilee.
"Trainers like Joe Janiak (with Takeover Target) have brought horses over to win your races and they put her on a pedestal over those. I think that says everything."
