Turf Deli Racing News

Black Caviar Special Edition

It may be the Caulfield Guineas this week, the traditional clash of the boom Sydney 3YOs against the locals, but there is some old has-been trying to steal the show.

Some no name, sprinting mare who thinks she is kinda special just because she is undefeated in her career so far and is going for her 14th straight win, which would equal Phar Lap's generation spanning record.

Yawn. So what ? Do you have a tip for the next at Manangatang ?

So this week it is all about Black Caviar. There will be Black Caviar face masks. 25,000 Black Caviar wavers. A feeding trough full to the brim of free black caviar for all race goers to stick their snouts into. No hands allowed of course. Yum, yum - double dipping has never issued such a challenge to your immune system.

Even the jockeys competing against her in the Schillaci Stakes will be waving Black Caviar Flags, cause the whoosh when she goes for home is great for getting those flags a flappin'.

Personally, we will be turning up to Caulfield in a extremely figure hugging hot pink salmon body suit with black dots conveniently placed in the appropriate locations for modesty.

The Black Caviar colours are now instantly recognisable even away from the racetrack. How on earth no football team ever thought up the salmon and black dots colour combination for their alternate away kits is beyond us. Really, it couldn't be any worse than what some of them are currently wearing. Although word has it that the AFL are already eying off these colours for the introduction of the 26th AFL Team in 2020 - the Port Lincoln Little Fishies.

Champion race horse are big business these days. Long gone are the days of the "Go Vo" pin on badge. Black Caviar has her own website, she is on twitter (and even champion race horses take time out from track work to post witty 140 character barbs poking fun at the AFL Grand Final pre-game entertainment), and has her own merchandising arm.

You can buy Black Caviar caps, t-shirts, stubby holders, key rings and fridge magnets. She even had an episode of Australian Story dedicated to her. But no Black Caviar black caviar. Darn it. The fish eggs industry is really missing out on a prime marketing opportunity to put fish eggs on the plate of every young kid who dreams of growing up to be a champion sprinter over 6 furlongs.

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Weekly Turf Deli piss take aside, Black Caviar has been a revelation.

Undefeated in 13 starts, and absolutely, utterly and totally dominant. Carefully and expertly placed by her stable means that she has strung together a once in a generation winning streak. The owners and stable know what they have and have generously aimed to take her around Australia for all to see. Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane. Westfield Shopping Centres. Screaming young girls greeting her at the airport. What was previously called a pop star reception, is now a Black Caviar reception.

The scenes before the Newmarket Handicap in March when she raced in a handicap for the 1st time will become racing folk lore. Grandstands packed. The crowd silent. Totally silent with anticipation, and that doesn't even happen before the Melbourne Cup. Everyone fixated on the mare. When she let down for home, the gasp from the crowd was clearly audible. As was the gasp from trainer Moody and jockey Nolen after the last when they saw the line of fans stretching across the course for autographs on the free photo finish print given to all race goers.

The field this week is probably the weakest she has ever faced and she has definitely scared off her rivals.

But what scares Black Caviar ?

Caulfield Fashion and Social Ambassador Giaan Rooney for one. On Underwood Stakes Day, when the mare did a few laps of the mounting yard, she flatly refused to pose for a photo opportunity with the ubiquitous ex-swimmer. Fingers crossed that Giaan isn't standing by the winning post on Saturday, which would be courting disaster for the unbeaten super star. If she is, expect one of those cartoon style screeching sudden stops with hoofs bringing up piles of dust and a highly amusing ensuing riot as the 25,000 crowd chases Giann around the course in anger.

So what next for the champ though ?

In a way it is a shame she has not been beaten so far, as there is now a perfect record to protect and it reduces the temptation to take her out of her comfort zone. Unfortunately, she had had enough, and was sent for a spell before her last planned start in QLD in the winter this year, which would have seen her race past 1200M for the first time. This spring will see her contest the same three races as last spring.

Who knows what she could be capable of though ?

Next year we might see her set for some 1400M races in the Autumn, and then even to England for the Royal Ascot meetings, have scones and tea with the Queen, and hey, whilst she is there she might as well stick around for the London Olympic Games and have a crack at the high jump, discuss and 100M freestyle. There is pretty much nothing this mare cannot do.