World champion sprinter Black Caviar came to Caulfield on Saturday to meet and greet the people but it didn’t all go to script.
Trainer Peter Moody allowed racegoers, who had taken advantage of Saturday’s free entry to Caulfield, to look at her parade in the mounting yard between races.
The crowd watched and applauded her as she walked past but an attempt to have her photographed with television presenter, Olympic gold medal winning swimmer Giaan Rooney, proved difficult.
As the wind swirled around, so did Black Caviar and in the end media photographers had to be satisfied reeling off quick shots as Rooney, Caulfield’s fashion and social ambassador, walked briefly beside the equine heroine.
Standing still has never been Black Caviar’s forte.
She is quick, very quick, and then accelerates with heart breaking speed which is testament to her unbeaten record of 13 wins.
For the next three weeks Moody has put his stable off limits to everyone not directly connected to his horses as he puts the finishing touches on the robust five-year-old mare with a view to winning her 14th successive race in the Group Two Schillaci Stakes (1000m) on her home track at Caulfield on October 8.
“Today was a chance to give everyone have look at her and get a photo,” Moody said.
“After today the stable is off limits to be fair to her and the other horses.
“If I had everyone come and pat her and charged $5 for a photo I would be a millionaire in a week.”
Moody confirmed on Saturday he had scrapped a proposed clash with champion three-year-old Sepoy in Cranbourne barrier trial on Monday, declaring the mare was “where he wants her.”
Moody has noted her physical improvement this campaign which has been backed up by her track rider Patrick Bell.
“She looks bigger and stronger and young Paddy thinks she feels stronger than when she was racing last autumn, ” Moody said.
It is a daunting thought. Moody estimates Black Caviar’s weight somewhere around 580 or 590kg and admitted that Saturday brought a sense of expectation.
“She has captured the imagination of people and the world’s best title has probably done that somewhat,” Moody said.
AAP TURF
