Today in Adelaide, the mare has her last Australian run, in the G1 Goodwood at Morphettville, before she heads to Royal Ascot. Some are predicting that she will go to the post as a 1-50 shot, others expect her to be around 1-25. The field is extremely weak. Nobody wants to take her on. Hopefully the race will be live streamed on the link below, about 3 hours 15 minutes from the time of this post. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/superracing/watch-black-caviar-live/story-fn67siys-1226353181654
It's a huge gamble to take her away Arch, but what the hell, gotta have a crack right? I wonder if they'll bring Frankel downunder for the Spring Carnival in Melbourne?
The travelling question is an interesting one. I used to do a fair bit of inter-continental business travel and long-haul can really take it our of you - not just the travelling time but also the time differences. To truly acclimatise you need several days and I wonder if it is any different for a horse? If it were me I'd have her over here at least 2 weeks before Royal Ascot to give her time to get over the journey and acclimatise to the god-awful British weather.
Seems that her trainer has kept some weight on her for the sake of the trip. I'll see if I can find out when she leaves Oddy.
Plus, if she's to take on Frankel, she'll have the time between Royal Ascot and Goodwood as well so I don't think that will be a problem.
She won't race against Frankel. Connections of both horse's are full of hot air, but when it actually comes down to it, neither will want to risk there unbeaten record
Can't let that comment go unchallenged. She won't run against Frankel because she's a sprinter who's all about speed, while he's a miler looking to step up in trip as he learns to settle. Nothing to do with hot air, it just wouldn't suit either horse to compete against the other for the sake of being party of a circus..
I completely agree that they are 2 different types, though Black Caviars connections have said the Sussex stakes, and a clash of the titans with Frankel could be on the agenda, do you believe that? Because I certainly don't. That was the hot air I was referring to
Really interesting article Ron, I'm very excited to have her coming to Britain and I do think this time the Aussies are bringing a genuine superstar. She will win our Group 1 sprint I think. So You Think was and is a very good horse, but short of Europes absolute best. Starspangledbanner was also a very good horse capable of Group 1 wins. Black Caviar is different though because she does it so naturally, so easily, without anyone really asking her for more. She's got the extra gears to beat our best. The really fascinating question is how far she stays. I remain convinced she would push our usual Group 1 milers very close. Frankel on the other hand is a different kettle of fish, because of the way he really bounds on at the end of a mile, his Galileo influence as it were. But let her run in the sprint first and then see where we stand. Hope they both remain fit and well.
The reports I have read suggest that she will be heading back to Australia pretty soon after the July Cup, so a meeting in the Sussex Stakes is very unlikely. She has been in training solidly since last October so she'll be in need of a break before the big meetings start up again in Oz in October. Entries for the Sussex Stakes close on 29th May (though supplements are permitted), so we'll know more about intentions then.
No way they will meet over a mile. Frankel has too big an advantage and if he were to lose, despite that, it would be a disaster.
