Black Caviar (Luke Nolen): unextended to register 18th straight win
PICTURE: Getty ImagesNo worries as Black Caviar lands 18th win
Report: Australia, Saturday
Caulfield: Sportingbet CF Orr Stakes (Group 1) 7f, turf, 3yo+
DESPITE stepping up in trip, the brilliant Black Caviar (Peter Moody/Luke Nolen) appeared to have little more than an exercise gallop as completely overwhelmed her rivals to take her unbeaten record to 18 in the CF Orr Stakes.
Having her first start over 7f, the five-year-old was sent off a 1-25 shot before barely breaking sweat as she came home just over three lengths clearof last year's Caulfield Cup winner Southern Speed and Playing God.
"If you were writing a script that's how you'd like to see it play out," said winning rider Nolen. "I gave her a shake for 50 yards or so, then I throttled down."
Such was the ease of her latest victory that the dual world champion sprinter may now reappear in seven days' time in the Lightning Stakes, Australia's premier sprint over 5f at Flemington, before a probable trip to Meydan for the Dubai Golden Shaheen and then the Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.
After a decent break in Saturday's race, Luke Nolen settled Black Caviar in four place about three lengths off a dawdling pace set by Danzylum before easing her upsides just after halfway.
She was never asked a question as she sauntered away as they entered the Caulfield straight before winning as she liked to register her 18th successive victory, thereby equalling the Australian metropolitan record posted by Ajax between 1937 and 1939.
"What do you say? It's unbelievable," said trainer Peter Moody. "It's mind-boggling - what she does to good horses is unbelievable. I'm just rapt - it's amazing, we've never pushed her."
The Australasian record for consecutive victories at top-level tracks is 19, held jointly by New Zealand-based pair Desert Gold and Gloaming. However, both Miss Petty and Sava Jet won 22 on the spin at low-grade Queensland bush tracks.
Also on Saturday
Caulfield: Carlyon Cup (Group 3) 1m, turf, 4yo+
Now with the Black Caviar team, former Luca Cumani-trained Manighar (Peter Moody/Luke Nolen) recorded his first win for nearly two years as he started off over 1m for his new trainer.
A pair of Group 1 targets, the Darley Australian Cup and the BMW, await the six-year-old, who was fifth in last year's Melbourne Cup.
