I know a lot of us have been burning the midnight hour to watch Aussie sprinter sensation, Black Caviar.
At 19 for 19 this six year old dark bay mare is by Bel Esprit out of Helsinge by Desert Sun. Trained by Peter G. Moody and ridden by Luke Nolen, the “Wonder from down under”, has just taken her nineteenth straight victory in the Lightning Stakes at Flemington.
Sound familiar? Australia is currently riding the same equine “high” we were riding just a couple of years ago with our very own Zenyatta.
I remember we would wait, not so patiently sometimes, for our Queen’s next race to be announced. Once we knew the date, we would start counting the days and literally the hours until we knew she would be dancing her way to the post and to our hearts, at least one more time. Finally, the moment was here, the gate would fly open and I swear Mike Smith and Zenyatta would often stop at the quarter mile pole to share a Guinness, before realizing there was a race somewhere up ahead, that they needed to tend to. Those late, come from behind charges were heart stopping as we waited for the infamous words, “Here comes Zenyatta!!”
She never disappointed….not once, even at the end.
I think a lot of us are riding the Black Caviar saddle cloth, I know I am. When a sensation such as her comes along you can’t help but not to climb on. Though not quite the same feeling as being able to claim her as “our own” one has to give respect where respect is due.
Black Caviar is a thoroughbred with her own style of finesse. With her ears pricking back and forth, she effortlessly stays near the front of the pack, patiently waiting the moment to get down to business. She’s definitely a “no nonsense, let’s get it done, I came here to win” kind of horse. She has shown strength, courage and heart in every race. You can’t ask any more of a champion than that and I truly wish her and her connections so much more continued success.
Australia…thank you for sharing her with us, enjoy the moment, the “Black Caviar’s and Zenyatta’s” of the world are few and far between.
-- By Jody Lawrence