Champion mare Black Caviar is embarking on a hit and run mission in the TJ Smith Stakes, possibly marking her sole appearance in Sydney.
This could be our only opportunity to cheer for the champion.
The unbeaten wonder mare’s debut from interstate in the Group 1 $1 million Darley T.J. Smith Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick might be the first and only occasion she competes in Sydney.
This adds to the compelling reasons to be at the track, watching the world’s best racehorse pursue her 12th consecutive win.
In early TAB Sportsbet fixed odds betting, Black Caviar is valued at $1.22, making it the 11th successive race where she has been the odds-on favorite.
Trainer Peter Moody stated that Black Caviar is “in great shape” to maintain her winning streak.
“I believe she has handled her William Reid Stakes win better than she did with the Newmarket Handicap,” Moody shared.
“She needed 48-72 hours to recover from the Newmarket; she was aware she had a tough run that day.”
“I performed very little work with her leading up to the William Reid, and she pulled up well after that event.”
“In fact, I’ve had to increase her workload over the last two weeks to prepare her for this race.”
Moody intends to prolong Black Caviar’s autumn campaign beyond the T.J. Smith, including two additional races in Brisbane: the BTC Cup and Doomben 10,000, before resting the champion mare.
Following this, Black Caviar is expected to compete in up to three events in Melbourne during the spring carnival later this year, before targeting the Hong Kong International Sprint in Sha Tin in December.
“We are relishing this experience right now, and it’s fantastic for Australian racing to have her participating, but there is considerable pressure to take her overseas,” Moody confessed.
“If all goes well in the spring, I will likely suggest to the owners a trip to Hong Kong in December.”
“The Hong Kong International Sprint is the primary option; I regard it as the spring sprint world championship.”
Moody further indicated his interest in setting Black Caviar up for races in Dubai and Royal Ascot next year.
by Buford Balony
