Mark Kavanagh will play a double hand against champion Black Caviar after deciding to run Catapulted and We’re Gonna Rock in the Group One Goodwood at Morphettville.
While 30 horses were entered for Saturday’s time honoured Adelaide sprint, it is likely the unbeaten Peter Moody-trained mare who is chasing her 21st win, won’t have too much opposition.
Other likely runners are Go The Knuckle, Outlandish Lad, Stirling Grove, Stanzout and Streetcar Magic while Periduki remains in the mix and David Hayes is keeping the option open for Spacecraft.
Black Caviar’s stablemates Curtana and Kulgrinda have been ruled out along with Bel Sprinter, Linton, Pago Rock, Liveandletdie, Power Princess, Satin Shoes, Shock Value, Shopaholic, Stratcombe, Dusty Star, Eight Bills and Bonnie Mac.
Rocking Force is also unlikely to run while Secret Flyer and Le Remas have been entered for Caulfield on Saturday.
Kavanagh said there were few options around for Catapulted and We’re Gonna Rock, mindful of the enormous task ahead of them on Saturday.
“What do you do with those sorts of sprinters” Kavanagh asked.
“There’s not much left for them so they have to go around in a race like that on Saturday.”
Both horses come off disappointing runs in the traditional Goodwood lead-up race, the McKay Stakes (1100m), with We’re Gonna Rock finishing sixth and Catapulted 11th of the 13 runners.
“I don’t know what to make of that race,” Kavanagh conceded.
“Certainly both horses didn’t run like they normally do.
“The inside of the track might have been questionable but I don’t know.”
Outlandish Lad caused an upset at $21 in the McKay when he beat Kulgrinda and Go The Knuckle while Stirling Grove was fourth, Periduki fifth and Streetcar Magic seventh.
Black Caviar as expected dominates Goodwood betting at $1.03 with TAB Sportsbet and Moody will confirm her a Goodwood runner after she works at Caulfield on Tuesday morning before acceptances for the 1200m feature at 9am.
We’re Gonna Rock is second favourite at $15 ahead of Go The Knuckle $21, and $26 chances Catapulted, Outlandish Lad and Stirling Grove.
The presence of Black Caviar generated at sell-out crowd of 30,000 at Morphettville last Saturday week when she won the Sportingbet Classic and indications there will be a repeat this weekend.
