Black Caviar departs quarantine

25-07-2012

Undefeated superstar Black Caviar is bound for a break after completing her stint at Werribee
Bucking and rearing before boarding the truck out of the Werribee International Horse Centre, Black Caviar looked more like a spritely yearling than a rising six-year-old mare.

The champion was full of excitement when departing quarantine this morning and Moody Racing assistant trainer Tony Haydon said the mare appeared to have recovered well from her injuries sustained in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes win at Royal Ascot.

Black Caviar, who has spent the majority of her two week quarantine period in her stall, was due to make a brief appearance at her Caulfield stables before being whisked away to an undisclosed location after original plans to take her to Belgrave South were altered.

“She'll be happy to get out into the paddock today and I think she's really looking forward to cutting loose and being a horse,” Haydon said.

“She'll be at Caulfield for a few hours, they'll run their eye over her and then she'll go out to the paddock.”

While no decision has been made on Black Caviar's future, trainer Peter Moody confirmed from today's Mornington races that there were a number of options for the mare's owners.

A cameo spring campaign aimed at a third consecutive victory in the Group 1 Patinack Farm Classic (1200m, November 10) at Flemington remains a possibility, while the potential is there for connections to retire the mare and begin a lucrative breeding career.

Moody also raised the possibility that Black Caviar could be given an extended break to fully recover from her European campaign before being prepared for a swansong campaign in the autumn.

“We're not sure whether we'll see her in the spring, or whether the owners decide that she goes to the breeding barn or even whether we give her an extended break, forget the spring and come aim her at the autumn and have a finale next year,” Moody told TVN.

The trainer did confirm that new stable acquisition Voila Ici, who completed his two week quarantine with Black Caviar, would remain in work at his Caulfield training base with an eye to the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups during the spring.

The Italian stayer, who is currently rated a $51 chance by TAB Sportsbet in early Melbourne Cup markets, has impressed Moody with his early improvement and is likely to have his first Australian start late next month.

“Tony (Haydon) and Paddy (Bell, trackrider) have been down there (Werribee) with him and I'm pleased to say we've been able to work him every morning because he refused to go to the gallops at Newmarket,” Moody said.

“He'll have his introduction to Caulfield tomorrow morning but he's had a couple of strong gallops at Werribee and they've pleased us so if he continues in that mould I'm thinking that you'll probably see him at the races before the end of August and hopefully on a Cups campaign.”