Two Melbourne racing clubs have joined the fight to attract Black Caviar for her final lead-up race before the superstar sprinter leaves Australia to race in England.
The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) and the Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) say they are willing to alter programs to accommodate the unbeaten champion when she attempts a record-breaking 20th straight win while Adelaide and Brisbane are also vying to have her race at their carnivals.
The VRC is proposing to upgrade The Straight Six (1200m), a Listed race at Flemington on May 19 from a handicap to a set-weights plus penalties event.
The MRC is looking at an 1100m or 1200m race with weight-for-age or set-weight conditions at a Caulfield meeting on either April 28 or May 12.
After her Lightning Stakes win, trainer Peter Moody listed three Group One races as options for Black Caviar before she made the trip to England for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes (1200m) at Royal Ascot on June 23.
They are the Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) on April 28 and the Goodwood (1200m) on May 12, both at Morphettville, and the BTC Cup (1200m) at Doomben on May 12.
Moody sent Black Caviar to the paddock for a break after she backed up a week after her C F Orr Stakes (1400m) victory at Caulfield with a scintillating victory over Hay List in the Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington last Saturday week.
That win equalled the 19 straight wins recorded by champion US mare Zenyatta and matched the Australasian record held by Gloaming and Desert Gold.
Alterations to a race would require approval from Racing Victoria but chief executive Rob Hines said on Monday that RV would support it and it had been discussed with Racing Minister Denis Napthine.
“We would like to see Black Caviar post her 20th win consecutive win in Victoria,” he said.
“I realise it is a little parochial but she’s a Victorian mare and we are very, very proud of her and we would love her to have her 20th win here.
“If that means changing the conditions of an existing race then we’d be very happy to consider it.
“We’re not going to be moving a Group race or a Listed race or changing the pattern of racing for one horse, that’s not appropriate.
“But if we can change the conditions, perhaps for a race that already exists, put a bit of extra prizemoney in it, why not?
“We’d be supportive of that.”
AAP TURF
