Black Caviar spooks rivals as Lightning field falls off..
Date February 11, 2013 Patrick Bartley
TRAINER Peter Moody's call for all sprinters to take on his champion mare Black Caviar in Saturday's $500,000 group 1 Black Caviar Lightning at Flemington may have fallen on deaf ears.
As the world's best sprinter resumes after her trip to England, it seems few are prepared to challenge her unbeaten status. Moody, when asked about what Black Caviar would be facing in the straight 1000 metre race, said: ''Just bring them on, that's no problem.''
With Sydney-trained filly Satin Shoes and Melbourne three-year-old Shamexpress the only confirmed challengers, the race appears to be at the mercy of Black Caviar.
Trainer Mick Price said his Blue Diamond winner of last year, Samaready, was to return in the Lightning but would wait until the following Friday night for the Typhoon Tracy Stakes at Moonee Valley.
''We looked very seriously at starting Samaready on Saturday at Flemington, but after a meeting of the owners, we've opted to go to Moonee Valley for a listed three-year-old fillies' event,'' Price said.
Scone trainer Paul Messara, who prepares group 1-winning mare Ortensia and had intended running her in the weight-for-age sprint, is opting for another feature race this autumn to start her preparation.
However, former South Australian sprinter Go The Knuckle could be a surprise entrant.
Trainer Robert Smerdon said connections of Go The Knuckle had made inquiries about a start for the four-year-old. ''We had a quick talk last week and we'll more than likely put a nomination in, but we agreed to talk again before acceptances were taken,'' Smerdon said.
Victoria Racing Club racing manager James Earls said, the VRC was planning for a crowd of 25,000. ''It's fabulous to have [Black Caviar] back at Flemington and as far as the numbers go, whatever final acceptance is received the race will go on. We are aware that it could be on the small side, but as long as we have horses to contest the race it certainly will go ahead.
''It's a special day for the VRC - not only is Black Caviar returning but she has the opportunity to extend her group 1-winning record at the track to six if she's successful in the race named after her.
''She is the record-holder of achieving more group 1 wins [at Flemington], having won two Lightning Stakes, two Patinack Farm sprints and of course the Newmarket. Interestingly, another mare is in second position and that's three-time Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva, who also managed a win in the Australian Cup but unfortunately for her while she won the Turnbull Stakes, it was only group 2 but 12 months later we promoted it to group 1,'' Earls said.
Black Caviar, throughout the latter part of her career, has spooked many top-line sprinters because of her dominance.
The beneficiary of Black Caviar's presence on Saturday could be the Melbourne Racing Club's Oakleigh Plate the following week. Top sprinters such as last year's winner Woorim and group 1-winning mare Lone Rock have been saved for the easier option.
And unbeaten Shamal Wind, which was successful at Moonee Valley on Friday night, could also contest the Oakleigh Plate. The lightly raced filly will this year receive only 50 kilograms in the 1100m handicap after the conditions of the race were altered, dropping the minimum from 52kg to 50kg.
Smerdon said he was contemplating starting Shamal Wind in the group 1 scamper.
