News

Caviar adds to Inglis Global Sprint Challenge Dominance

6th Nov 2010

Black Caviar shrugged off the only remaining anomaly on her scorecard when dominating the Patinack Farm Classic at Flemington today, continuing a great run for Inglis graduates in this year’s Global Sprint Challenge.

The Swettenham Stud graduate made it eight from eight, but most importantly, she now boasts the tag of Group 1 winner – something that has been in the pipeline since she made her debut two years ago.

Trainer Peter Moody has had to be patient with BLACK CAVIAR ($210,000 2008 Premier, 4m Bel Esprit-Helsinge) and has frustratingly watched on as injury prevented the mare from contesting Group 1 features previously.

“It's massive relief,” Moody said. “She's had a build up since day one and to finally crack that Group 1 .... Most horses with her ability probably would have won a Group 1 at their third or fourth start. They just haven't fallen for her with the injury and so on but to finally get it today it's just a great relief.”

All has gone according to plan this spring and today’s win burst Black Caviar’s earnings through the $1million barrier.

Black Caviar joins Sacred Kingdom (Hong Kong International Sprint), Starspangledbanner (Golden Jubilee, July Cup) and Ultra Fantasy (Japan Sprinter Stakes) as Inglis graduates to win a leg of the Global Sprint Challenge over the past 12 months.

Moody is now eyeing off a weight-for-age Group 1 campaign next autumn but isn’t committing to an overseas tilt.

“I would think the financial attraction of Dubai would probably outweigh Europe because she is a mare, but let's enjoy it at home,” he said.

“We just lost one great horse from Australia, if the world want to dethrone her as the world's best sprinter, let them come here and have a crack at us.”

Black Caviar was the fourth Premier graduate to win in the first five races on the Stakes day card.

BIGELOW ($52,500 2009 Premier, 3g AL Maher-Academy Angel) produced a powerful finish to take the Listed Hilton Hotels Stakes (1400m). The Clint McDonald trained gelding has relished being ridden quietly in his latest two runs and is now the winner of three races in four starts.

McDonald is now weighing up a Sandown Guineas start, but feels the best of the gelding, who was prepared for sale by Southern Cross Breeders, will be seen next year.

“We'll see how he pulls up,” McDonald said. “We think he's definitely up to the better three-year-olds, but he's definitely going to improve with a break. We'll let the horse tell us and we'll make a decision.”

PLAYWRIGHT ($75,000 2006 Premier, 6g Fantastic Light-Amonistar) took his earnings beyond the $600,000 mark when leading throughout in the 7Mate Handicap (2000m).

Group 1 placed as a three-year-old, Playwright has been most consistent for most of this campaign also picking up the Benalla Cup along the way.

Earlier, ARCTIC COMMAND ($55,000 2010 Premier) kickstarted the Premier Sale haul with his win in the Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate.