MOUNTAIN TO MUHAMMAD?

Naturally, there’s much speculation as to the spring plans for Black Caviar and after earlier intimating that the ‘world’ can come to the mighty mare, trainer Peter Moody may just go hunting scalps in Japan and Hong Kong. The Herald Sun’s Matt Stewart reports.

Key drawcard Black Caviar may be a virtual no-show in Melbourne this spring, with connections considering a trip to Japan and Hong Kong.
Trainer Peter Moody said last night he had asked Black Caviar’s owners for their spring wish list, and close to the top was the 2 October Sprinters Stakes in Japan and the 11 December Hong Kong International Sprint, both over 1200m.
“She is the best racehorse in the world, and the world is one of the options,” Moody said.
He said if the international trip was locked in, Black Caviar would have just one Melbourne run, first-up in the 1000m McEwen Stakes at Moonee Valley on September 10.
“We are keeping all our options open and the owners have indicated to me they’d like serious thought to be given to the Japan and Hong Kong races, with a long-term priority given to Royal Ascot next year,” Moody said.
Moody admitted the owners were “a bit miffed” the Victoria Racing Club had offered overseas rivals, such as Singapore’s Rocket Man, a $600,000 Global Sprint Challenge bonus for the 1200m Patinack Farm Classic at Flemington in November, while Black Caviar was eligible for just prizemoney.
The owners were slightly put out that “our horse, who has already won two Global Sprint Challenge races, was not eligible”, he said.
Rocket Man, winner of last month’s KrisFlyer Sprint in Singapore, is a likely Patinack starter in what has been touted as the year’s biggest showdown.
Moody said he had nothing to fear from Rocket Man in the Patinack: “There isn’t a horse on the planet capable of beating Black Caviar up to a mile,” he said.
First prize for the Sprinters Stakes at Nakayama is $1.2 million, the same as the prizemoney-plus-bonus haul in front of Rocket Man if he can win the Patinack.
If Moody opts to stay home, Black Caviar could have six spring starts: the McEwen, Manikato Stakes, Schillaci Stakes, Moir Stakes, Patinack Farm and Winterbottom Stakes in Perth.
Other options include a first attempt at 1600m against her own sex in the Myer Classic and a tilt at the 1600m Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot next year, rather than the sprints.