Royal Ascot will bow down for Black Caviar

13-05-2012

Adrian Dunn From: Sunday Herald Sun May 13, 2012

PETER Moody promised we'd see a different horse - we did, and the result would, or make that should, resonate around Europe.

From the moment she walked around the mounting yard at Morphettville yesterday, it was readily apparent that Moody had tightened the screws considerably on Black Caviar in the past fortnight.

No one could say Black Caviar looked flat or unimpressive as she celebrated her 21st successive win, and 11th Group 1 triumph, in nonchalant fashion.

Really, it was a tease. Did Luke Nolen even breathe on her? He certainly didn't give this equine marvel a slither of rein as she simply cruised around Morphettville.

Did she ever get out of second gear? No, but she didn't need to.

We're Gonna Rock ran out of his skin, but the margin flattered him. He was in one race giving his all, Black Caviar was in another, just out for a pleasant Saturday afternoon stroll.

It was reminiscent of most of her earlier wins where Black Caviar looked, well, downright freakish.

What Black Caviar did was send a timely reminder to all those preparing horses for the Diamond Jubilee on the final day of Royal Ascot: be prepared for nothing like they have yet witnessed.

Black Caviar will take further improvement - not the she really needs to - from her Goodwood victory so she will head to Royal Ascot at the top of her game.

That will be enough to silence the naysayers who suggest somewhat flippantly, if not ignorantly, that Black Caviar will find it more challenging when she gets to Royal Ascot.

Really? What Black Caviar will do in the Diamond Jubilee is reduce her opposition to B-grade status. British bookies were betting as much as $1.70 before Black Caviar's Goodwood success. Not so sure they'll be anywhere as generous now, or come June 23.

It does appear, however, they will be more generous than local operators have been for some time. If that's the case, it's a matter of money for old rope.

Not one of the 30,000-plus people who crammed every vantage point at Morphettville yesterday was disappointed.

They gained a first-hand appreciation of a horse destined to treat the top-hat-and-tails set at Royal Ascot with a speed explosion they've never seen.