Superb run sits Black Caviar delicacy in a class on its own
Sydney Morning Herald
Monday February 21, 2011
If you've no interest in the world of thoroughbred racing just remember Black Caviar.You'll be hearing a lot more about the phenomenal female. Forget bank interest, just think Black Caviar.The reason is simple. Has there been a thoroughbred sprinter to match this impressive equine athlete with the most fluent of strides? Debate will rage and that's good but let's concentrate on the moment.Black Caviar had a few problems early in life but managed to string eight straight victories together and went to Flemington on Saturday undefeated.She hadn't been seen since demolishing rivals in the spring. She lined up in the Lightning Stakes. No ordinary sprint. One of the most prized on the Australian racing calendar.The return to racing was much hyped. Speculation mounted of a showdown. There was a male hulk named Hay List. He had won 12 of15 starts. Last spring he was considered, on the rating chart, the equal if not better than Black Caviar.So it was supposed to be a contest. Well it wasn't. If you missed it, you missed one of those special moments. One of those performances an athlete produces that takes the breath away. In the space of 57.2seconds Black Caviar dished out a lesson in how to gallop on a racetrack. The type not seen for many an age. The type that turns hair. It was elegant in a ruthless type of way.Really, it was contemptible, one of those rare moments found on the sporting field. Her jockey Luke Nolen reckons anyone could win on Black Caviar. He may well be right but there is a downside for poor Luke, who said: "The ride doesn't last long enough."For trainer Peter Moody, all the words have been used to describe Black Caviar. How can he improve upon what has already been stated?Sure you can get caught up in the hype. She has only had nine race-day starts. She is a four-year-old but it doesn't really matter. You've just got to find a video replay of what took place on Saturday and you'll know what race players are talking about.It'll be on YouTube. The mare has her own blog. Racing Victoria started one last week. Not only can Black Caviar walk the walk but she can talk the talk. Forget bank interest.Let's keep the numbers simple. Put $100 with an investment house offering 7 per cent and it takes a year to turn the hundred into $107. Plough into Black Caviar at the starting price on Saturday and you've got $128in less than a minute. To think you could have taken a price of $1.45 earlier in the week.Sportingbet Australia chief Michael Sullivan reported "well over $1 million" was placed on Black Caviar with one wager of $200,000 and a couple of $100,000 bets. "Punters were putting their entire bank on her and it was only a short-term loan paid back with interest," Sullivan said.Matt Jenkins from TAB Sportsbet revealed one client is looking forward to the Newmarket Handicap. The client, who outlaid $54,000 in a double, has Black Caviar going for $256,500. Said Betfair's Jake Norton: "Little point mentioning any other horse than Black Caviar. The great mare's presence created an enormous pool of $1.655 million in backers' and layers' money in Betfair's Lightning Stakes win market. Almost $1.5 million was matched on her alone."Now that is one popular racehorse. The type that doesn't know defeat. The type that is going as fast as rivals when her pilot is throttling back and ambling to the winning post.It was there to see on Saturday. It really was something special. Something you're unlikely to forget. The best part being nobody knows how good Black Caviar is. Nolen hasn't let her go yet. Bank interest or Black Caviar? It's no contest.cyoung@fairfaxmedia.com.au
© 2011 Sydney Morning Herald