Trainer Mark Minervini is looking forward to the formidable challenge of taking on the world’s highest-rated sprinter Black Caviar with promising three-year-old Go The Knuckle.
The gelding is the most inexperienced of the nine acceptors for the Group One Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville on Saturday which will be his first test at Group One level.
He’s had seven starts for three wins, including a Group Two victory in the Euclase Stakes (1200m) two starts back at Morphettville on March 12, and has been out of a place just once.
“It’s a pretty daunting task,” Minervini admitted regarding taking on the great mare who has been unbeaten in 20 starts, an Australian record for consecutive metropolitan wins.
Last start Go The Knuckle finished third to Goodwood rival Outlandish Lad in the Group Three D C McKay Stakes (1100m) on April 28.
“He’s come through it well. He dashed down three furlongs (600m) on Tuesday morning and went well and he’s pulled up well so we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
Shayne Cahill will take the ride on Go The Knuckle who drew barrier three and will carry 55.5kg under the set weights plus penalties conditions, 1.5kg less than Black Caviar who will jump from gate eight.
“He’s a young horse but every start he’s had in his life he’s hit the line hard and we’re hoping he can do that again on Saturday,” Minervini said.
“Maybe he can fill a place or tackle the mare and get in among the prizemoney.
“I bought him here (Adelaide) at the Magic Millions sale off Gerry Harvey and I always really liked him.
“He’s a great walking horse with a beautiful action and from day one when he was broken in and came here for his early preparation he had that X-factor about him and he hasn’t let us down.
“He’s been a very consistent young horse.
“He’s a Group Two winner and I think if Black Caviar wasn’t in the race he’d probably start favourite in the Goodwood and probably be really hard to beat.”
Go The Knuckle is out of the placed Zeditave mare Zefta who is a sister to successful stallion Magic Albert.
“He’s got that turn of foot where he can reel off some quick sectionals and his win on Adelaide Cup day when he beat Satin Shoes was pretty awesome,” Minervini said.
“He drew nine of 10 and was four and five wide at the tail of the field and came around the lot of them and beat them well so he’s got a fair bit of ability.”
Black Caviar, after her 11th Group One win, is a $1.04 favourite with TAB Sportsbet while Go The Knuckle has firmed from $51 to join We’re Gonna Rock as second pick in the betting at $26.
