Luke Nolen believes that trainer Peter Moody will give Black Caviar a jump out at Caulfield next Tuesday to have her right for her fast approaching summer-autumn campaign.
Nolen, back from a holiday with his family waterskiing at Bundalong on the Murray River, said he galloped the world’s highest-rated sprinter for the first time this preparation at Caulfield over 1000m on Tuesday, quickening over the last 400m.
“She did it on the bit and ran sound time on the course proper at home and I thought she was alright in the wind,” Nolen said.
“That was my first comment to Pete (trainer Peter Moody).”
“She comes to hand pretty quickly but personally I think she will have a blow out in a trial on Tuesday as she’s going over 1200m first up, not 1000m, and then she’s aimed at 1400m races at her next two after that.”
“I’d be surprised if she doesn’t trial even if it’s a little burn around on the bit.”
That would give Black Caviar 10 days from the trial to her going for her 17th straight win in the Group One Australia Stakes under lights at Moonee Valley on January 27.
She would then go on to the C F Orr Stakes on February 11 and the Futurity Stakes on February 25, both at Group One level over 1400m at Caulfield.
The great mare hasn’t raced beyond 1200m to date but Nolen can’t see the 1400m stopping her.
He agreed with Moody that she would have to finish off strongly over 1400m in Australia to run a strong 1200m on the undulating tracks at Royal Ascot for the Golden Jubilee Stakes and Newmarket for the July Cup.
“Personally I don’t think there is a sprinter on the planet that can beat her,” he said.
“On those straight tracks they could take her on and she’d still be very strong at the end because she relaxes on the bit, she can carve out fast sectionals and get good horses off the bridle a long way from home.
“I’ve seen both tracks and personally I think those tracks will suit her even more.”
Nolen said Black Caviar, the world’s second-highest rated galloper and highest-ranked mare ever, meeting the world’s highest-rated galloper Frankel simply won’t happen because they race over different distance ranges.
“I think the most mouth-watering contest you’ll get is Black Caviar against Sepoy and Hay List – all Australian horses – down the straight at Royal Ascot,” Nolen said.
“That’s if they all get there, but if they do it may well be the clash of Royal Ascot week.”
Nolen said he will ride Black Caviar in her next gallop at Caulfield on Saturday morning.
AAP TURF
