News

Caulfield readies for free Black Caviar

9th Feb 2012

Sydney Morning Herald - Will Brodie - Thursday, 9 February 2012

A crowd of up to 30,000 could watch Black Caviar try to extend her winning streak to 18 in the group one Orr Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.

Melbourne Racing Club spokesman Jake Norton says the offer of free entry and lack of advance ticket sales makes it difficult to estimate the potential crowd, but his club is "preparing, but not budgeting" for a turn-up similar to the marquee Caulfield Guineas spring carnival meeting in October.

It will be Black Caviar’s first attempt at a distance beyond 1200 metres, but the freakish mare is not expected to find the extra 200 metres any hindrance. Norton hopes a "pleasurable on-course experience" for casual racegoers might see them return if she takes on the Futurity Stakes, also over 1400 metres, two weeks later, on Blue Diamond Stakes Day.

Norton said the track was in "wonderful condition" for the big day, with the rail in the true position, and the weather forecast was improving, though there was still some chance of showers in the later afternoon.

"With a bit of luck, crowds won't be put off by a bit of dampness," he said

Champion jockey Craig Williams, aboard second favourite Southern Speed, thinks Caulfield could see its second biggest crowd for the year behind the Caulfield Cup meeting.

He is realistic about the task of toppling Australia's best racehorse.

"I wouldn’t think there’s many chinks in Black Caviar’s armour. For a sprinter, when you see her go to the start she’s so relaxed and on a loose reign and even when she races, Luke (Nolen, her jockey) can put her anywhere in a race," he told SEN radio this morning.

"The scary part for her opposition is the fact that she’d … be the best miler (1600 metres) in Australia, but we just haven’t haven’t even seen her get there yet.

"I’ll be out there doing my best as every other jockey will be to beat Black Caviar, but you’ve got to be realistic, she’s pretty awesome, isn’t she?"

Williams supported the free admission initiative for Saturday’s meeting, saying it cost only the equivalent of two Australian dollars to get into meetings in Japan. He suggested a free bet or free meal as other incentives local racing could try to attract repeat custom outside the spring carnival.

"We want people to turn up at the racecourse and one thing that is bringing people to the racecourse now is Black Caviar, so we’ve got to make the most of it," Williams said.

He admits that beating Black Caviar would be like ‘killing Bambi'.

"That’s for sure, but that would be racing I would be delighted to do it. But you’ve got to have the horse to do it.

"Southern Speed won the Caulfield Cup she loves Caulfield and she loves big crowds so hopefully she can turn on a show as well."

The four-year-old mare has won twice at Caulfield, including a highly impressive first-up triumph in the listed John Dillon Stakes over the Orr Stakes distance at Caulfield two weeks ago.

The meeting has been designated Family Festival day featuring myriad kid-friendly initiatives, including a bungee trampoline, giant earthball, best-hat competition and Wii gaming big screen. But it is expected that the Black Caviar merchandising marquee will be the main attraction for racegoers of all ages.