Trainer Peter Moody wants to keep Black Caviar for Australia, and Australian racegoers certainly want her.
On a day when the winner of Australasia’s weight-for-age championship, the $3 million Cox Plate, should receive all the accolades, Black Caviar was the star of the show.
The reigning Australian racehorse of the year easily outclassed her opposition, albeit only three of them, in the Group Two Schweppes Stakes at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
The crowd rose as one in a standing ovation for the champion mare, who notched up her 15th straight win from as many starts.
“It’s a dream come true and it’s just great to see the joy she brings people,” Moody said.
“It wasn’t much competition today for her but she is just great for the sport and I’m forever so grateful just to be a part of it.”
There are some who doubt the phenomenon’s talents if tested off Australian soil. Not Moody.
“I’m as keen as anyone to see her overseas and put all these naysayers and doubters, that we’ve got to travel overseas to prove ourselves the best. I think that’s a heap of bullshit to be honest.
“I think let’s enjoy her in Australia. Have a look what she’s doing for racing.
“Why should we supplement every other bastard’s racing around the rest of the world.
“Let’s supplement our own and let’s enjoy her in Australia for as long as we can.”
An outside chance trained by an Olympic showjumper was the surprise Cox Plate winner.
Both Cranbourne-based trainer Greg Eurell and jockey Craig Williams thought they’d been outrun by New Zealand star Jimmy Choux but Pinker Pinker accelerated in the straight to take out the 2040m feature.
Eurell, who represented Australia at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, was elated by his first Cox Plate victory and ninth Group One win, the other eight of which came from the now retired top-class sprinter Apache Cat.
“A highlight of my life was obviously him and going to the Olympic Games,” Eurell said.
“I think this has surpassed the Olympic Games.
“To win a Cox Plate I think is every trainer’s dream. Fortunately we’ve fulfilled that dream.”
Williams, on a roll after winning the Caulfield Cup and Geelong Cup in the past week, said Pinker Pinker revelled in the occasion.
“She went to the line really convincingly and I had the biggest smile. It just felt so good,” he said.
“To win a race like this, the Cox Plate, it’s just fantastic.”
Among the crowd at Moonee Valley, salmon with splashes of black was the most fashionable colour.
Joel Watkins and his salmon with black spots T-shirt travelled from Sydney to watch his favourite racehorse on what he says is the best day’s racing.
“I love Black Caviar. The only thing I don’t like about it is you can’t punt on her because it’s always too short,” said the 26-year-old, who even has a big poster of the champion on the wall at his Cronulla home.
Jockey Luke Nolen was humbled and a little overwhelmed that Cox Plate day turned into the Black Caviar show.
“It’s Cox Plate Day and she could nearly be the star of the show.”
AAP TURF
