Champion sprinter Black Caviar appears set to run in Saturday’s Group I Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington after the Peter Moody stable declared the wonder mare “pulled up super” following her C F Orr Stakes win.
The daughter of Bel Esprit was one of 16 entries for the $750,000 event that kicks off this year’s Global Sprint Challenge at Flemington tomorrow.
Black Caviar never broke out of second gear with the dawdling tempo set in last Saturday’s Group I feature, leaving Moody with the option of backing her up within seven days for the first time.
Moody’s stable manager Jeff O’Connor said Black Caviar passed her post-race veterinary examinations, leaving the camp keen on chasing victory No. 19 in Australian racing’s only 1000 metre Group 1.
“She has pulled up super and will be nominated today with the intention of running on Saturday if all progresses well this week,” O’Connor .
“We have up until Saturday morning to decide if she runs, but the signs are all very positive at this stage and we are pressing on with the intention of running her.”
The champion could face her stiffest test to date in the Lightning with a hot field of sprinters, including arch rival Hay List, heading the list of potential rivals.
If all goes to plan in Saturday’s feature, Black Caviar is expected to line up the following week in the Futurity Stakes at Caulfield before embarking on an overseas campaign to take on the world.
Moody is yet to reveal an international agenda for Black Caviar, other than to reaffirm the Diamond Jubilee Stakes (1200m) at Royal Ascot on June 23.
by Buford Balony
