Trainer Peter Moody has continued to whip up the rivalry between champion mare Black Caviar and her English rivals in the lead-up to Saturday’s Group One Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.
On a typically wet morning at his UK base at Newmarket, Moody declared Black Caviar’s trip to the other side of the world was something her English rivals would never attempt.
“We all saw the best local horse Frankel win here on Tuesday, but he’s never going to leave the UK, his owners will never take him away from home,” Moody said.
“But this mare’s owners have had the balls to put her on a plane and travel halfway around the world.
“That is something phenomenal.
“Imagine having something this good and sharing it with the rest of the world.”
Moody has regularly ruffled local feathers since arriving in England last week questioning the wisdom of racing “against inferior opposition for inferior prizemoney”.
Asked on Thursday if he might instruct jockey Luke Nolen to give Black Caviar her head in Saturday’s race, Moody said he wasn’t here to put on a show.
“I’d love nothing more than to see her come out and win by 10 or 11 lengths,” Moody said.
But he said such a performance would be saved for an Australian racetrack.
“The Poms have been using us Aussies as cannon fodder for 150 years so we’re not going to put on a show just for them.”
Despite the steady rain that seems certain to produce the softest track on which Black Caviar has ever raced, Moody remains confident the mare will handle any going.
“She’s trialled on very heavy ground and got through it OK so I’m not really worried,” he said.
“She’s the fittest I’ve had her in the past 24 months. Her work has been very pleasing since arriving here. I couldn’t be happier.”
Black Caviar is likely to be opposed by at least 10 rivals on Saturday and remains at long odds-on with local bookies.
