BLACK CAVIAR - A GIFT TO RACING

By Graham Potter | Saturday, January 28, 2012

For the moment, the Black Caviar extravaganza has nothing to do with the race as a contest. For racing enthusiasts it is all about being part of the celebration and for the lucky ones amongst them … and that is a growing number as the great mare draws more and more people to the track … there are bragging rights. A chance to wear an ‘I saw Black Caviar race’ tee-shirt.

Her fans now arrive decked in Black Caviar’s racing colours. From duplicate silks to caps, flags and banners, the wave of the salmon and black spots colour brigade highlights just how far her fame has permeated the country’s sporting psyche and just how much her presence and deeds have benefited the racing industry.

For the old-stagers who thought they had seen it all in racing, Black Caviar has given them something they have never seen before. For the middle-of-the-road public who generally had, at best, a passing interest in racing, Black Caviar has raised racing’s profile but, most importantly, of all the groups that Black Caviar has had an impact on, it is her affect on the youngsters of the day that might ultimately stand as the most important part of her legacy.

The young faces in the crowd at Moonee Valley last night were clearly enthralled by the occasion. For many it will be etched in their memory. For some it will lead to them becoming involved in a brief affair with racing. For a few it will translate into a life-long love of the game as they become part of that all-important next generation of regular race-goers, courtesy of the thrill inspired by a mare who grabbed their imagination.

Peter Moody said it best when he commented, “She’s is just terrific for our sport. It’s just great for our industry. We usually are getting a kicking to death if we are on the front page of the newspaper. This horse is putting us on the front page for the right reasons. It’s just great to be a part of it.”

Moody was speaking after Black Caviar had once again completed the formality of notching up her latest win to extend her unbeaten, winning sequence to seventeen straight successes. With Black Caviar having elevated herself into a stratosphere way above all opposition on the local scene, the old adage of, ‘there is no such thing as a certainly,’ almost doesn’t apply to her at this stage.

Last night her stunning acceleration, flying on the wings of an enormous stride, carried her fluently passed her opposition on the home turn. Her particular trait of making it all look so easy was again very much in evidence and, although the quality of her rivals was nothing to write home about (let’s face it, relative to Black Caviar most form-lines pale into insignificance), she beat them with the aplomb in keeping with her champion status to give every fan the result they had come to see.

Again she had pleased her trainer.

“It’s just great to see her back in great shape,” said Moody. “She’s really pleased us at home and it’s great to see that come to the races.

“Her attitude’s good. Her action is terrific. Hopefully it is the start of a wonderful six months

“We’ll be at Caulfield on the eleventh. That’s our next one.”

At Caulfield Black Caviar will stretch out to 1400m for the first time. With that in mind, apart from confirming her well being, her Moonee Valley run was also used in part to help educate Black Caviar for the test ahead, as jockey Luke Nolen explained.

“It wasn’t the strongest opposition she’s met. She relaxed off an even speed. We towed up and I just gave her a squeeze, because there is a bit going on here tonight, just to make certain that she took full benefit of the gallop today because we are going seven furlongs next time.”

Nolen also commented on the mare’s calm attitude in the pre-race preliminaries.

“That attitude has helped take her as far as she has gone … obviously combined with her awesome talent and her giant stride … but her relaxed attitude is part of the reason she is the champion she is.

“She felt as good as ever. I’m not going to say she is better than she was … but she wouldn’t have to improve. Having said that she is physically mature now and she felt very strong underneath me.

“Look, it is a wonderful privilege to be on top of Black Caviar. I thank God very day.”

So, as stated in the opening, for the moment, the Black Caviar extravaganza has nothing to do with the race as a contest. That will come with new challenges against overseas opposition as the year unfolds but, for now, the Black Caviar phenomenon is one that is to be enjoyed and appreciated for what it is … a gift to racing.

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