Moody to decide Black Caviar program today

Premier trainer Peter Moody will meet with owners tonight and present his preferred options for his champion mare Black Caviar leading into her overseas campaign.

Moody said that Black Caviar had pulled up well after her nineteenth straight win in the Lightning Stakes last Saturday and a decision on whether she runs on Saturday in the  Group 1 $500,000 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield will be made within twenty four hours.

“I will give the owners my thoughts, not only for Saturday, but for the rest of her campaign, when we meet tonight,” he said.

“I want it locked in. All roads lead to Ascot but it is a matter of when and where we run in-between.”

Connections have said all along that the Golden Jubilee Stakes (1200m) at Royal Ascot in June is her main mission but if she runs three weeks in a row and saddles up again on Saturday or goes to Dubai without another run in Australia has to be sorted out.

“She’s great, but do you run her three weeks in a row with possibly Dubai and the UK to come?” Moody said.

The Melbourne Racing Club is also sweating on the Moody’s decision so they can prepare for Saturday’s bonanza Blue Diamond day.

“Fingers crossed that Black Caviar runs on Saturday,” said Melbourne Racing Club media manager Jake Norton.

“In our favour is that she pulled up well after the Lightning Stakes and the owners are keen to get the 20 wins up before she goes overseas.”

Saturday’s Caulfield program boasts three Group 1s and as well as the The Futurity Stakes and the $1m Patinack Farm Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m),  the $400,000 Sportingbet Oakleigh Plate (1100m)  will attract a high class field of sprinters.

Last year’s crowd figure for Blue Diamond day was over 10,500 and the MRC would expect that to double with the appearance of the super mare Black Caviar chasing her twentieth consecutive unbeaten win.

 

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.