Black Caviar: will have her first test over 7f at Caulfield on Saturday

  PICTURE: Gary Wild  

Williams excited about taking on Black Caviar

Australia: Jockey Craig Williams says Black Caviar's first test over 7f against last year's Caulfield Cup winnerSouthern Speed sets up one of the most exciting contests for the unbeaten champion.

While stopping short of declaring an upset, Williams is genuinely excited about the prospect of a Black Caviar and Southern Speed showdown in Saturday's weight-for-age Group 1 CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield.

"It is great for racing," Williams said. "Her opposition has been becoming a bit mundane as the others try to avoid her but to run against a Caulfield Cup winner of the previous year who won so well first-up adds a little bit more to it this time."

Williams won the Caulfield Cup on Southern Speed as well as the Listed John Dillon Stakes when the mare shouldered 9st 6lbs first up at Caulfield on January 26.

Williams' other recent big successes have included the Cox Plate on Pinker Pinker, the Hong Kong Vase on Melbourne Cup- winner Dunaden, last month's Karaka Million on Ockham's Razor in New Zealand as well as the Hai Stakes in Japan and the Meydan Masters International Jockey Challenge in Dubai.

He is hopeful that Southern Speed can provide Black Caviar with her most serious test so far, especially as she is untried over 7f.

"I'm hoping that over seven furlongs I won't need to have binoculars to see her backside," Williams said.

After Wednesday's draw TAB Sportsbet opened Black Caviar in stall five at 1-25 in the nine-horse field - the biggest the unbeaten champion of 17 races has contested since beating ten rivals at her twelth race start in the TJ Smith Stakes last April.

Stall one will suit Southern Speed who races off the pace and she is second favourite at 14-1.

Next in the market are 40-1 shot Playing God, drawn seven and Black Caviar's stablemate Doubtful Jack, drawn one, at 50-1.

Another win on Saturday and Black Caviar equals the 18 wins in a row posted by Ajax between 1937 and 1939.

Gloaming and Desert Gold share the Australian city record of 19 wins in a row, but others have won more at country venues.

Got a smartphone? Check out our new mobile web app - featuring cards, results, betting, tips and more - just type m.racingpost.com into your phone's web browser