A record number of Aussies are pulling on heels and tipping top hats, bound for Royal Ascot to barrack for their beloved Black Caviar.
More than 5000 Australians are expected to be among the sell-out crowd of 80,000 on Saturday to see the super mare vie for her 22nd win from as many starts when she competes in the 1200m Diamond Jubilee Stakes at 12.45am (AEST).
“I want to be trackside with my glass of champagne as she crosses in first place,” Perth woman Kelly Turner, 26, said.
“She’s very popular. It will be the first time I’ve seen her race and I’m very excited.”
Ms Turner was among a group of about 500 Australian and New Zealanders who left central London on Saturday morning aboard eight double-decker buses bound for Royal Ascot.
“Last year we had about 120 people in this Ascot group,” Fanatics tour leader Phil Van Bentum said.
“This year we’ve got close to 500. It’s all about Black Caviar and the strong Aussie dollar helps.”
Australia’s High Commission in London received unprecedented interest from Australian citizens in its ballot for 400 Royal Enclosure passes on Saturday, which a spokesman attributed to Black Caviar’s run.
Royal Ascot public affairs spokesman Nick Smith said while Australian attendance has been high in the past for the likes of Miss Andretti and Scenic Blast, 2012 is a standout.
“The increase is entirely down to Black Caviar but the crowd won’t be up materially as we always sell out Saturday, it is just that this year more tickets have gone to Australians,” Mr Smith told AAP.
While the Peter Moody-trained star is the appeal for much of the Australian crowd, some have their priorities elsewhere.
“I probably won’t see much of the horses to tell the truth. I’m going to have a few drinks and check out the ladies,” said Martin ‘Moose’ Gross, 24, from Adelaide.
