DOMINANT CAVIAR

And this one from ANZ Bloodstock News ...

Black Caviar (BEL ESPRIT) firmly threw down the gauntlet to Hay
List (STATUE OF LIBERTY) for spring sprint honours with a dominant
performance in the $300,000 Schweppes Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m). A little
slowly away, Black Caviar was soon sitting just off the lead held by
True Persuasion (Bel Eprit) but the race as a contest was virtually
over after halfway.
Black Caviar was coasting outside True Persuasion as they
approached the turn for home and once Luke Nolen released the
handbrake on Black Caviar the unbeaten mare bounded clear to
win easily, prompting winning trainer Peter Moody to quip, “ She’s
pretty special isn’t she!”
Hot Danish (Nothin Lecia Dane) ran on in the straight to take
second with True Persuasion staying on gamely for third.
“I’m the only man here that wasn’t disappointed Hay List wasn’t
here,” a smiling Moody said later. “You run out of things to say,
don’t you? She just seems to do it so effortlessly.
“I said to Luke just sit on her for as long as you can, you’ve got the
best turn off foot. Ride her as the best horse, whatever happens
or unfolds then you’re around the race.
“The scary thing is she’s never been pressured. Does she find
under pressure? Hopefully we never have to find out. It’s just
scintillating what she does.
“Luke said he’s got this theory, the faster she goes the better she
feels. I said to him when I legged him up, ‘just keep getting scared
something’s going to fly off’.
“She doesn’t know her own strength or her own brilliance and
that’s brought about her downfall a few times. Touch wood, we’re
two runs into a prep, this is the longest prep we’ve had so far,
it would be lovely to get to Flemington in a couple of weeks and
make it a three-run prep,” he said.
As far as the much anticipated clash with Hay List, most likely
in the Patinack Classic (Gr 1, 1200m) at Flemington, Moody is
realistic. “He’s an outstanding horse, but what do you do? We’re
undefeated and we’ve got to keep going forward. The more you
win the closer you are to defeat.”
Winning jockey Luke Nolen continues to be amazed by Black
Caviar. “It’s a great thrill you know. She’s kept in one piece so far
this campaign and she’s sort of been a patch-up job throughout
her career because she’s so big and powerful,” said Nolan. “It is
a little bit scary. I don’t think we’ve found the bottom of her yet.
Black Caviar has had some issues with starting her races earlier
in her career and there has been a lot of work done at home to
rectify her tardiness and impetuosity. “I’m pleased with the way
she’s leaving the gates. She’s not flying the machine like she did
in the Danehill and spent the next two strides on her nose; she’s
leaving the gates nice and clean,” Nolen explained.
“I’ve got to give full credit to Glenn Darrington, he’s done well
to work with her at the jumpouts at Caulfield at home and he’s
always at the races when she runs. He looks after her and he’s
probably as much to credit for that, just getting her to leave (the
barriers). It doesn’t have to be quick, but just leave with him and
then she musters. She feels real good when she gets top gear!”
Black Caviar (4 m Bel Esprit – Helsinge, by Desert Sun) has now
won all seven of her starts and earned $789,250. She sold for
$210,000 as a yearling at the Melbourne Premier Sale.