Any plans of Black Caviar being retired after her Royal Ascot campaign won’t be discussed until after the trip is completed and trainer Peter Moody is hopeful of pushing on into the Spring.

Black Caviar

Black Caviar could return for a Spring campaign after Royal Ascot - photo (c) Steve Hart

The unbeaten super mare kicks off her Royal Ascot crusade when she steps out at Morphettville on Saturday in the Group 1 $400,000 Sportingbet Classic (1200m) on possibly a wet track for the first time searching to set an Australasian record of twenty straight wins.

Moody is confident Black Caviar will have no problems with the rain affected surface on the weekend and is hopeful of continuing racing into the Spring if she comes through the UK trip okay.

“If I thought she was a spent force I would not hesitate to retire her. She has done her job,” Moody said.

“Hopefully, it doesn’t affect her too much and she can come back and perform again in the spring.”

Moody has planned to give the mighty mare two Adelaide runs before heading off overseas with the Group 1 £500,000 The Diamond Jubilee Stakes (1200m) at Royal Ascot on June 23 as her first priority, but has also nominated her for the Group 1 £350,000 The King’s Stand Stakes (1000m) on June 19 only as a precaution.

Morphettville is rated a dead 5 at the present time but with more rain predicted leading into the weekend a slow rating or worse could be expected.

Black Caviar is yet to be tested on a surface any worse than dead under race conditions but did handle a heavy 10 when she won a Cranbourne barrier trial in the early part of her career.

“I don’t think anyone wants to see a great race day spoilt by weather but she’s a filly that’s handled soft ground,” Moody said.

“Although she’s never raced in it, I think she’s won the fastest barrier trial run at Cranbourne on a heavy 10.”

“It’s not a major concern. The only way I would have any issues on running her is if the surface was unsafe or presented some risk to her long-term, but hopefully that’s not the case.”

Moody had made a point that Black Caviar won’t be looking as bright in the coat as in previous preparations but expects her to win on Saturday and proceed to the Group 1 $500,000 The Distinctive Homes Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville on May 12 before flying out to England.

“She’s fit enough if she’s good enough. I’d certainly be disappointed for all those involved if something went amiss,” he said.

“Realistically, the only way you could see her getting beaten is if something goes wrong and you would hate for that to happen.”

Luke Nolen will again be aboard Black Caviar when she lines up in a field of ten on Saturday first up since winning the Group 1 $750,000 Coolmore Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on February 18.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.