Living up to her status as the world’s premier sprinter, Black Caviar provided her competition with both weight
and a thorough beating in the $1 million Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.
Setting a new modern-day weight-carrying record for a mare in the 1200m feature sprint, the four-year-old daughter of Bel Esprit competed under 58kg in a race that has a history dating back to 1874.
Pendant remains the only mare to have carried more weight to victory in a Newmarket, with a weight of 9st7lbs (60.5kg) in 1906.
In addition, Black Caviar is now the only horse in Australian history to achieve 10 victories on metropolitan tracks from 10 attempts, and at $1.18, she became the shortest-priced winner of the Newmarket. The previous record for the shortest price was held by Bernborough, who won at the equivalent of $1.44 in 1946.
The sole record she did not surpass was the course record of 1:07.16, set by Iglesia in the 2001 Standish Handicap. Nonetheless, her time of 1:07.36 marked the fastest Newmarket ever run, besting the prior record of 1:07.68 established by Miss Pennymoney in 2000.
Not fully extended by jockey Luke Nolen, Black Caviar won by three lengths ahead of Crystal Lily ($71), the Golden Slipper winner who attempted to lead the race from the outset, with Beaded ($21) finishing third, three-quarters of a length behind.
“She’s run the last 600 metres in under 33 seconds. You wouldn’t want to be chasing her on foot, would you?” commented trainer Peter Moody.
“It has been quite the buildup, and it’s relieving to have it behind us. This was likely the best opportunity for anyone to beat her; it’s probably the only chance the handicapper will ever have at her.”
“As I mentioned last time, what can you say? Words escape you. She’s simply incredible.”
“I told Luke to be as gentle as possible for as long as he could. He didn’t need to be three lengths ahead at the furlong (200m), just a half-inch ahead at the line.”
“She’s only two races into what might be a six-race campaign, but she has performed remarkably.”
Next, Black Caviar is set to pursue her fourth Group I victory in the William Reid Stakes (1200m) under the lights at Moonee Valley in a week before heading to Sydney and then Brisbane.
Nolen, who partnered with Moody for back-to-back Newmarket wins, having captured the race last year with three-year-old colt Wanted, remarked on the ease of the task.
“I let her flow just past halfway while keeping her on the bridle before allowing her to glide up,” he explained.
“I put in full effort, thinking that with the 58kg and some tough competitors it might prove challenging.”
“I didn’t strain my neck watching the big screen today, but when she kicked, she really kicked. She’s every jockey’s dream.”
Greg Carpenter, Racing Victoria’s chief handicapper, stated he would advocate for an international rating of 130 for Black Caviar.
The highest recorded rating for a sprinter to date stands at 125.
Her current rating of 123 is the highest since Oasis Dream in 2002, matching that of notable Hong Kong sprinters Silent Witness and Sacred Kingdom.
The new ratings are set to be officially released in late March.
“Today, she was giving weight to some truly excellent sprinters and still won by a significant margin with the same ease she exhibits in weight-for-age races,” Carpenter noted.
Buford Balony says: If you haven’t witnessed this horse in action yet, you absolutely must…UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!!
