News

Eliza Park the Big Winner as Showdown Looms

24th Oct 2010

Breednet - Mark Smith - Saturday, 23 October 2010

Sensational sprinter Black Caviar passed her biggest test to date with flying colours by toying with multiple Group 1 winner Hot Danish in Saturday's Group II Schweppes Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley.

Ridden by Luke Nolen for leading trainer Peter Moody, the powerfully built mare kept her record at a perfect seven for seven when barely breaking a sweat to dispose of Hot Danish (Nothin' Leica Dane) by 5 1/2-lengths with track specialist True Persuasion (Bel Esprit) three-quarters of a length back in third.

“I am the only man who wasn’t disappointed Hay List wasn’t here,” Moody joked. “You run out of things to say don’t you? She just seems to do it effortlessly.

“The scary thing is she’s never been pressured. Does she find under pressure? Hopefully we never have to find out. It’s just scintillating what she does.”

Hay List missed the race due to an elevated temperature however the two are due to meet up in the Group 1 Patinack Farm Classic (1200m) in a fortnight’s time.

Whatever the outcome of that clash the big winner will be Eliza Park Stud, which stands Black Caviar's sire Bel Esprit and Hay List's sire Statue Of Liberty (USA).

A $210,000 purchase by Moody from the Swettenham draft at the 2008 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Black Caviar was the most expensive Bel Esprit in the sale.

She is the first foal of the Desert Sun mare Helsinge, a half-sister to Group One winner Magnus who stands alongside Bel Esprit at Eliza Park Stud and Group Two winner Wilander.

Helsinge has a yearling colt by Casino Prince and was covered by Redoute's Choice last year producing this gorgeous filly - click here to see her story.

Black Caviar is one of ten stakes-winners for Bel Esprit, who covered 251 mares last year at a reduced fee of $16,500.