Jockey Luke Nolen has promised South Australian racegoers an even better performance from unbeaten champion Black Caviar in an ominous warning to her rivals in the Group One Goodwood at Morphettville.
Nolen is thrilled with the progress the Peter Moody-trained mare has made since her first-up win in Adelaide’s Sportingbet Classic (1200m) two weeks ago.
After riding her trackwork this week he declared her 21st win was in the bag.
“I said to Peter after I worked her on Tuesday that it was amazing how much just one run can bring this mare on,” Nolen told Radio Sport National.
“The work was first class and anyone who goes to Morphettville on Saturday won’t be disappointed.”
The Sportingbet Classic was Black Caviar’s first run in 10 weeks since the Group One Lightning Stakes at Flemington and despite being fat and hairy she landed the Adelaide feature by 4-1/2 lengths.
On Tuesday, with that conditioning run under her belt, she stunned trackwork watchers when she was unextended to reel off a slick 22.26s for her last 400 metres.
“I am very much looking forward to Saturday,” Nolen said.
“She was nowhere near her top first-up and she has just made that really nice improvement second-up.”
Black Caviar again dominates betting and is $1.04 with TAB Sportsbet to extend her remarkable winning run before heading to England for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 23.
Next best are Go The Knuckle and We’re Gonna Rock at $26 while Weholdtheace is the $301 outsider.
Black Caviar has drawn barrier eight in the nine-horse field and for Nolen that only presents more options.
“I can do whatever I want from there and I can keep her out of trouble, more importantly,” Nolen said.
“She is a very easy horse to ride and I will keep her happy and hopefully she will keep everyone there (at Morphettville) happy as well.”
Nolen described Black Caviar as a “rock star” and for the second time she has attracted a 30,000 sell out crowd at Morphettville.
Nolen said the Goodwood would prime Black Caviar for England.
“People will be in for a real treat at the Royal meeting at Ascot,” Nolen said.
“I think she is going to go over there close to peak fitness and the weather is going to be kinder there (in England) than it will be here and she will blossom.”
