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Caviar express chases date with Queen

27th Jan 2012

The Age - Chris Roots - Friday, 27 January 2012

THERE are four races on Black Caviar's agenda, starting with tonight's Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley and hopefully ending with her meeting the Queen after the Golden Jubilee at Royal Ascot in June, but everything else is up in the air.

There is a symmetry to the program for one of the nation's biggest stars beginning at a race that celebrates Australia Day and ending in England. ''We have locked in the three runs in Melbourne; Friday, the Orr and the Futurity, but everything else is on the table,'' said Black Caviar's managing owner Neil Werrett.

''We are all going to catch up and sit down for lunch with Pete [Moody] next Friday and make some decisions on what is the best way to get [to] Ascot. Royal Ascot is the ultimate goal and Pete wants to get her there in 100 per cent shape and working out the best way to do that is what we have to talk about.''

There is also the matter of continuing her unbeaten run, which stands at 16. Moody has said he would like to get Black Caviar to 20 wins on end before taking her overseas.

But in the past couple of weeks Black Caviar has been entered for races around the world, including the two big sprints on World Cup night in Dubai on March 31 - the Al Quoz on grass and the Golden Shaheen on the all-weather Tapeta surface - as well as the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.

''Dubai, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide are all on the table,'' Werrett said. ''She has a lot of options, that's why she is in the Newmarket, but we want her to get to England and be able to show herself off at her best.

''Every race has its advantages and disadvantages but Pete wants to take her over at the peak of fitness.''

Black Caviar could race in the T.J. Smith or the BTC Cup, races she won last year, before boarding a plane, and even the Robert Sangster Stakes at Morphettville on April 28 could come under consideration as a group 1 for fillies and mares.

Werrett said Royal Ascot was not the most lucrative option but the dream of running at the world's most famous meeting captivates the owners.

''You don't get a horse like her in your dreams. Royal Ascot is one of those places you do dream about,'' Werrett said.

''There are plenty of million-dollar races around [the world] but I think for Australian sprinters winning at Royal Ascot has something very special about it.

''It is like the English stayers coming over here and trying to win the Melbourne Cup, it is the ultimate challenge. There is something magical about Royal Ascot and for her to prove herself there would be incredible.''

The European trip will also include a run in the July Cup at Newmarket and the plan would be to return to Australia for another season if Black Caviar remains fit and well.

That is the ever-present concern for Moody and Black Caviar's owners to keep her at the top of her game.

''It's going to be an exciting year, we just hope it goes to plan,'' Werrett said.