Black Caviar continues her unbeaten run

Report: Australia, Friday

Moonee Valley: Australia Stakes (Group 2) 3yo+, turf, 6f

BLACK CAVIAR took her unbeaten run to 17 as she sauntered home, pulling clear of her rivals with ease and powering home to win under a motionless Luke Nolen.

The atmosphere at Moonee Valley was electric with racegoers in the packed stands cheering loudly as the Peter Moody-trained mare, ranked second in the world behind Frankel earlier this month in the World Thoroughbred Rankings, walked out onto the track.

Those jockeys not riding in the race were gathered on the steps of the stewards' tower to gain a vantage point to watch the world's best mare strut her stuff and she did not disappoint.

While the standard of opposition was not the most taxing she has faced, the 1-20 favourite could not have made lighter work of her opposition, travelling strongly off the home bend as her rivals toiled before stretching clear under minimal pressure from the saddle.

Moody said: "It's probably the fittest I've had her first time up and it's great to see her back. She's been pleasing us at home and it was great to see her do that.

"You could use the word unextended but she's done it in a good time and we'll go to Caulfield [on February 11 - the CF Orr Stakes] next. We'll take it one race at a time but we'll have a meeting next Friday and discuss what everyone is feeling after digesting that."

With a trip to Royal Ascot on the cards and the possibility of running on Dubai World Cup night, Moody added on At The Races:  "Hopefully it's the start of a wonderful six months.

"It's wonderful to see her back in great shape. She's just terrific for our sport, and it's great for our industry. This filly puts us [racing] on the front page for the right reasons."

Nolen said: "This wasn't the strongest opposition she's met, but she relaxed nicely off an even speed. I'm not going to say she was better than she was, but she wouldn't have to improve."