BLACK CAVIAR TOO GOOD IN AUSTRALIA STAKES

Filly remains unbeaten with comfortable win

Unbeaten filly Black Caviar maintained her perfect record with a comfortable win in the Australia Stakes (Gr 2) last night at Moonee Valley. Thrown in against older horses at weight-for-age, Black Caviar was still sent out an odds-on favourite and those that took the short odds never had a moment’s worry.
Content to race in second place, just on the quarters of Here de Angels, Black Caviar was allowed more rein by Luke Nolen approaching the home turn and the daughter of Bel Esprit asserted early in the straight to win going away by two and a quarter lengths in the time of 1:10.18 with a last 600m in 34.08.
“She was terrific in the gates and was away smartly. She was never anywhere near her top,” Nolen said later. Trainer Peter Moody was clearly a relieved man afterwards and he was in expansive mood.
“It’s always a relief to see her get back on track like that. You are never 100 per cent sure when they have a preparation aborted through injury. The second horse is no mug. He’s a tough old handicapper and the exciting thing about the win is the level of improvement in her which augurs well for later on.”
Moody named the William Reid Stakes (Gr 1) back at Moonee Valley on February 13 as the next race for Black Caviar.
“We’ll bring her back here for the William Reid in three weeks. If she does something similar to this then we might look at other options.
“She’s still in the Newmarket but it hasn’t really been a focus of mine this time in,” Moody said, adding that there were ambitious plans for the filly. “There’s some chance I might give her a vaccination tomorrow for a run in Dubai,” Moody said. “It’s (the Golden Shaheen) worth $US2 million on the dirt. It might be a challenge.
A succinct analysis of the win was provided by Michael Rodd, rider of runner-up Here de Angels. “He did his best but the filly is just outstanding.”
Having sold for $210,000 as a yearling at the Melbourne Premier Sale, Black Caviar has now won all five of her races and earned $438,250.
- ANZ Bloodstock News