A CLASS OF HER OWN

It was billed as a match race but turned out as one horse race as the imperious Black Caviar kept her unbeaten record intact with a 4-length romp in Saturday's $750,000 Group One Patinack Farm Classic (1200m) at Flemington.
With Ben Melham taking over the reins from the suspended Luke Nolen, Black Caviar was always in control of the race, cruising home to capture her first Group One from the 3YO colt Star Witness with another 2.25 lengths to Ortensia (photo by Steve Hart)

It was the eighth win without defeat for the daughter of BEL ESPRIT who becomes Australia's latest equine millionaire with earnings of $1,241,750.

All of a sudden, So You Think has a serious challenger to the Horse Of The Year crown. And it was the former Bart Cummings trainee that Black Caviar's trainer Peter Moody was thinking of when asked if an overseas campaign beckoned for the superstar.
“Bugger the world,” Moody said. “Why can’t they come and take us on?
“We have just lost one great champion overseas so we’ll keep this one here for a while. She’ll put bums on seats if she stays unbeaten.”
“If I entertained overseas, Dubai would be very attractive option but Hong Kong would be an option this time next year but we will enjoy the autumn here.
A $210,000 purchase by Moody at the 2008 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Black Caviar is the first foal of the Desert Sun mare Helsinge, a half-sister to Group One winner MAGNUS and Group Two winner Wilander.
Black Caviar becomes the second Group One winner for Bel Esprit (10 stakes winners overall) following Robert Sangster Stakes winner Bel Mer.

- Mark Smith, Breednet