Black Caviar: "she's a filly that's handled soft ground" says her trainer
PICTURE: Getty ImagesSuper Black Caviar bids for 20th win on the trot
Preview: Australia, Saturday 7.23am BST (live on ATR)
Morphettville: Sportingbet Classic (Group 1) 6f, 2yo+ fillies and mares
TRAINER Peter Moody has allayed fears that a wet track could torpedo Black Caviar's attempt at an Australasian record 20th consecutive metropolitan win in the Sportingbet Classic at Morphettville on Saturday.
Black Caviar has never raced on a slow or heavy track but has won nine times on dead going and ten times on good tracks.
The going for the nearby Gawler meeting on Wednesday was a slow (6) while showers were possible on Friday and Saturday.
"I don't think anyone wants to see a great race day spoilt by weather but she's a filly that's handled soft ground," Moody said.
"Although she's never raced in it, I think she's won the fastest barrier trial run at Cranbourne on a heavy 10.
"It's not a major concern. The only way I would have any issues on running her is if the surface was unsafe or presented some risk to her long-term, but hopefully that's not the case."
A win would take Black Caviar past the current mark of 19 successive victories she shares with Desert Gold and Gloaming.
"I think it's terrific that it's going to happen here in Australia," Moody said.
"I think an Australian audience deserves it, no-one else does, so let's hope it all goes to plan on Saturday.
"It's tremendous to showcase her to another audience.
"It's tremendous for South Australian racing. It's a state with an unbelievable history of racing and it's probably a little bit in the doldrums. I don't think anyone would deny that.
"It gives a great opportunity to showcase South Australian racing not only on a national level but on an international level.
"I think it's well deserved. (South Australian Jockey Club chief executive) Brenton Wilkinson and the team over there at the SAJC have done everything possible to make this happen and thankfully it's come to fruition."
Moody said Black Caviar had probably her toughest run when beating Hay List in the Lightning Stakes (5f) at Flemington 10 weeks ago but was in great shape, albeit a bit hairy with the change in the weather, for what would be her tenth Group 1 win.
"She's fit enough to win if she's good enough," he said.
The five-year-old has nine rivals in Saturday's 6f fillies and mares weight-for-age feature and since drawing barrier three has firmed from her already prohibitive quote of $1.05 to $1.04 (1-25) with TAB Sportsbet.
Moody said he would assess whether Black Caviar needed another run, in The Goodwood (6f) at Morphettville on May 12, before her trip to Britain for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 23.
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