All within just short of 70 seconds, Black Caviar did all of that as she strode to victory for the 25th time and cemented Sydney’s affection for her in the Group 1 T.J. Smith Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick.
It was two years since Black Caviar had won that same race.
Thirteen victories later, home and abroad, Black Caviar was every bit as exciting as her perfect CV suggests in defeating the Peter Snowden-trained Epaulette ($41) and second favourite Bel Sprinter ($13), trained by Mornington-based Jason Warren.
“Each time you are lost for words”, was the perfect summation from trainer Peter Moody after the race.
An estimated crowd of 25,000 crammed into a still under-construction Randwick Racecourse and few would have been disappointed in the great mare’s three-length victory.
“I’m just really pleased that she has put on one hell of a show for the big crowd that came out here”, said Moody of the six-year-olds second trip to Sydney.
“I’m just really proud of her and to bring this show on the road.”
Apart from stretching her extraordinary run of success to the quarter century, Black Caviar also surpassed Kingston Town’s Group 1 record in notching her 15th Group 1 at the highest level.
“She’s a mighty horse and she’s broken records again today”, observed a proud Moody.
“These horses look fast before they line up against her.”
As well as becoming the first horse to win this race twice, Black Caviar started from barrier 1 for only for the second time in her career and tactics had to play a part in this Randwick assignment.
“We just had a plan that we wanted to be six or seven (lengths away from the rail), that’s all we wanted”, said Moody
“We thought the inside (of the track) was three or four lengths inferior and after talking to a few locals we decided the rails wasn’t the place to be.”
Black Caviar pulled out three wide on the home turn then jockey Luke Nolen clicked her into that familiar gear.
“I thought it was going to be difficult having drawn barrier 1 but I got her comfortable”, said Nolen.
“I just wanted to give myself a clearer run in the race.”
“They didn’t protect her in Sydney and she was still pretty unbelievable.”
With so many wins to her name, it may be a surprise many that the team are still learning things about her.
“I thought it was her most rounded performance today having had to work at the start and the end”, Nolen added.
Nolen leaves no doubt in his thoughts about just how great his mare is.
“If anyone wants to argue about that, they can come and see me.”
The 2011 T.J. Smith Stakes is widely recognised as one of Black Caviar’s toughest tests to date.
Whether today’s race stands up to that level, Moody isn’t quite so sure.
“I wouldn’t say that’s the best but as I suggested before the race she’s going every bit as good as she ever has.”
As for the maintenance of such a racing machine, managing owner Neil Werrett says that is all up to the Moody/Nolen factor.
“Peter and Luke have done a fantastic job”, said Werrett.
“It’s all to Peter’s credit that he’s go the horse so fit.”
“I know our nerves have been shot so I don’t know how Peter’s have stood up.”
Over the question of whether the Black Caviar legend continues on the racetrack, Moody continues to be open minded.
We may even see another year at least of Black Caviar magic.
“Wouldn’t that be a dream but we’ll get her home, go right over her and have a chat with the team next week before any decisions are made on where she might go.” Racing Victoria
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