The incomparable Black Caviar has slaughtered the best field ever assembled against her to remain unconquered and supreme.
In a race billed as her greatest test and one in which her rivals unashamedly served notice they were out to make her work harder than she ever had, the world champion mare proved she brawls as magnificently as she runs.
Black Caviar won the Group One TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick on Saturday, her 25th consecutive victory, by three lengths, leaving rival jockeys and horses dumbfounded and, in some cases, distraught.
Corey Brown, who threw down the strongest pre-race challenge, said he couldn’t believe how easily he and his horse Rain Affair had been beaten.
“I was surprised how quickly and how early she came at me,” Brown said.
Hugh Bowman, who rode the second favourite and third placegetter Bel Sprinter, said he felt deep disappointment for his horse.
“It can break their hearts when they’re trying their hardest and they get flogged like that,” Bowman said.
Glyn Schofield, who tried to ram Black Caviar into a pocket on Hay List, was too overcome to speak after the race, perhaps in sympathy with a horse who probably shouldn’t have been out there.
The style of the victory gave the Black Caviar camp the right to give back as good as they had got.
“She came to Sydney and she kicked their arses,” jockey Luke Nolen said.
“If there are still any knockers out there after that, come and see me and I’ll sort you out.”
Trainer Peter Moody, who had fielded the barbs of the Sydney trainers and jockeys, was more gracious.
“I’m just really pleased for her,” Moody said.
“Everyone appreciates her for what she is.”
In response to claims that her previous opposition had been vastly inferior to the field she would meet in the TJ Smith, Moody said the record had now been set straight.
“That’s the best field she’s ever met, so they tell me. I hope they remember that tomorrow,” he said.
In maintaining her unbeaten record, Black Caviar won her 15th Group One race, passing Kingston Town’s record.
The closest horse to Black Caviar ($1.14) on the line was Epaulette ($41) who came from near last.
Bel Sprinter ($13) was a further 2-1/4 lengths away in third place.
Discussion on Black caviar’s immediate and long-term future will be held next week.
