News

Black Caviar to Take On the World

24th Jan 2010

Black Caviar may have earned a shot against the best sprinters in the world after doing what most expected her do, slam her four overmatched opponents in the $202,500 Group 2 Essendon Mazda Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Friday.

Immediately following the race, trainer Peter Moody revealed a trip to Dubai for the Golden Shaheen was under consideration.

“There’s some chance I might give her a vaccination tomorrow for a run in Dubai,” Moody said. “It’s worth (US) $2 million on the dirt. It might be a challenge”.

Undefeated in five starts, Black Caviar (pictured as a yearling) was making her first start since defeating stablemate Wanted in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes at Flemington on September 5. Luke Nolen settled the daughter of Bel Esprit outside the leader Here de Angels but it was clear the filly had his measure before the home straight.

Looking big and burly on her reappearance Black Caviar (Bel Esprit x Helsinge by Desert Sun) cruised home under a kind ride by Nolen to defeat Here De Angels (Dehere) by 2 ¼-lengths with La Rocket (Rock Of Gibraltar) 1 ¾-length back in third place.

Moody thought the 3yo filly may been vulnerable first-up.

“It's always a big relief to see them return,” Moody said. “Until you get them back to the track you're never 100 per cent sure.” “The second horse is no mug. He’s a tough old handicapper and the exciting thing about the win is the level of improvement in her which augurs well for later on.” A 5-length winner at Flemington when on debut back in April last year, Black Caviar followed that up with a hollow 6-length win in the Listed Bayside Chrysler Stakes at Caulfield in May. She was then spelled before tacking up where she left off when capturing the Listed Crocket Stakes at Moonee Valley on August 22 before coming out of the Danehill Stakes with an injury that kept her off the scene for over four months

A $210,000 purchase by Moody from the Swettenham Stud consignment at the 2008 Inglis Premier Yearling sale, Black Caviar is the first foal of the unraced Desert Sun mare Helsinge a half-sister to Magnus and Wilander.

Winner of the AJC The Galaxy (G1), Magnus stands alongside Bel Esprit at Eliza Park Stud.

Helsinge is a daughter of star mare Scandinavia (Snippets), winner of the Group 2 BTC Cup and placed in the Goodwood H. (G1), VRC Salinger Stakes (G1), VRC Lightning Stakes (G1), and Newmarket H. (G1).

Helsinge has a 2yo full brother to Black Caviar named Moshe and a colt foal by Casino Prince last year after missing to Churchill Downs in 2007. Helsinge was covered by Redoute's Choice this season.

Bel Esprit (Royal Academy) has had his service fee reduced to $16,500 in 2009, which was greeted with enthusiasm by breeders who sent the son of Royal Academy 251 mares. Only Fastnet Rock with 271 mares covered more.

The sire of seven stakes-winners including the Group 1 winner Bel Mer, Bel Esprit covered 110 mares in 2008 at a fee of $33,000 while he served 266 mares in 2007 (the EI year) at a fee of $20,000.