News

Premier Graduates land Valley Feature Double

25th Mar 2011

Black Caviar’s anticipated 11th win in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes was complemented by fellow Premier purchase Nakaaya claiming the Group 2 Sunline Stakes on a memorable evening at Moonee Valley for Inglis graduates.

Unlike her 10 previous wins, BLACK CAVIAR ($210,000 2008 Premier, 4m Bel Esprit-Helsinge) sat off the speed tonight and some observers felt she may have been in trouble when Luke Nolen clicked her up in the middle stages. But the daughter of Bel Esprit soon called on her champion qualities and rounded her rivals up with ease as she launched into top gear.

Again Nolen had the luxury of easing the unbeaten mare down in the final 100m.

Earlier this week, respected ratings compilers Timeform confirmed Black Caviar as the highest rated racehorse in the World at the present time, with her figure of 135.

Both trainer Peter Moody and Nolen spoke of the privilege of being associated with such a great racehorse, as the build up and post race hysteria was likened to scenes only witnessed on Cox Plate day at Moonee Valley.

Buyers will have the luxury of tapping into the great mare’s immediate family at next month’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, with Makybe (as agent) set to offer Black Caviar’s half-brother.

The bay colt will be offered as LOT 277 and is a son of Patinack Farm’s first crop Group 1 winning Flying Spur stallion Casino Prince.

The 2011 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale will be held from April 5-7 in Sydney.

NAKAAYA ($60,000 2008 Premier, 4m Tiger Hill-Duchess Talaria) survived a protest to land an upset win in the Sunline.

Trainer Mick Price conceded the win was somewhat of a bonus, as the daughter of Tiger Hill was being aimed at Group success in Adelaide later this campaign, but he always felt the mare could develop into a stakes horse.

Sold by Carramar Park Stud, Nakaaya is from the family of G1 Flight Stakes winner Royal Purler and she counts the Thousand Guineas winner Princess Talaria as her third dam. She is now the winner of five races in 11 starts.

Earlier in the night, Mark Kavanagh unleashed a potential topliner when MUSHATTA ($270,000 2009 Easter, 3g Zabeel-Sandy City) made a winning return over 1200m following a brilliant Michael Rodd ride. Kavanagh tasted Cox Plate success three seasons back with Maldivian - another Zabeel Easter graduate - and there is little doubt Mushatta is going to relish his chance to get out over further as this preparation progresses.