Black Caviar’s unbeaten run has continued, with the wonder mare romping to her 15th victory in the Group Two Schweppes Stakes at Moonee Valley.
With only three rivals to contend with following the scratching of Balavan, she settled second in the run behind stablemate Doubtful Jack in Saturday’s 1200-metre sprint and was always travelling well within herself.
Black Caviar winning the Schewpps Stakes (Weight For Age (Group 2)) at Moonee Valley - photo by Race Horse Photos Australia
Now the winner of the Schweppes the last two years, she joins 19th century great Carbine and 1940s champion Bernborough who also won 15 races in a row.
Jockey Luke Nolen said Black Caviar, who picked up another $180,000 in prizemoney, wasn’t out to run any records and he had her in cruise mode rounding the home turn when she worked past Doubtful Jack with ease.
Nolen never released his grip on the mare in the straight and the crowd roared its appreciation as she raced to the line, stretching her lead with each effortless bound before Nolen eased to almost a walk to win by six lengths.
Doubtful Jack held down second place 1-1/4 lengths ahead of the much-maligned Here De Angels while Scenic Blast was a neck away in last place.
Nolen described the win as “awesome” and said the run would improve Black Caviar, which is bad news for her opposition next start in the Group One Patinack Farm Classic (1200m) at Flemington on November 5.
“It’s a very humbling experience (to ride her),” Nolen said. “To find this horse, it’s just extra special.”
Black Caviar’s winning time was an unsensational 1:10.13 but Moody and Nolen didn’t care.
Moody said there no reason to chase the clock and noted the best athletes were most susceptible to injury when they went their hardest.
“Why tempt fate,” Moody said.
Nolen joked that he might time-travel if he asked Black Caviar to hit top speed.
Jockey Dwayne Dunn said Doubtful Jack ran well but was no match for his champion stablemate.
“Obviously there’ll be a race for him during the carnival but she was too good for us,” Dunn said.
Here De Angels, who was relocated to an outside gate two away from Black Caviar after trainer Peter Moody expressed concerns about the barrier rogue, needed some help to get into the barriers but jumped cleanly.
“He gave me a beautiful ride,” jockey Clare Lindop said.
“He was really well behaved to the gates. He began nicely, we just went back smoothly and aimed to run a place and he ran third so we’re very pleased.
“When you’re travelling behind her, you think you’re going okay but she just puts lengths on you.”
Steven Arnold said Scenic Blast, who was at the tail of the field all the way, probably peaked at the 200 metres.
AAP TURF
