Unbeaten sprinter Black Caviar will race at Royal Ascot in 2012

While the immediate future of Black Caviar is still undecided it’s been revealed today that Royal Ascot has been locked in for the unbeaten mare in 2012.

She has been confirmed as a runner throughout the carnival next year and it will be her best chance to prove once and for all that she’s the best racehorse on the planet.

The announcement was made by spokesman Jeff O’Conner at a press conference at Royal Ascot.

“The plan is to run Black Caviar at Royal Ascot next year – Peter asked me to mention that,” O’Connor said.

“As far as her lead-up campaign is concerned, we will get together next month to finalise that.

“The question is whether we go overseas with her before Royal Ascot.

“We want her to try to get some world-class prestige.”

There has been a lot on conjecture since Black Caviar went into the spelling paddock as to whether or not she would run in Melbourne during the spring carnival.

Peter Moody has been seriously considering a move to Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan to chase a greater amount of prize money.

He’s also said to be quite disillusioned with the fact that the feature sprint race of the carnival, the Patinack Farm Classic, while this year carry a $600,000 bonus, but only for overseas horses.

The bonus applies for any horse which has won an International Sprint event in the current season.

While the rest of 2011’s racing plans haven’t been decided for Black Caviar there are two Australian horses already over in the UK looking to make an impact while the super mare is spelling.

One of them is a Peter Moody runner as well, Hinchinbrook primed to contest the Group 1 Golden Jubilee Stakes on Saturday week.

He’s one of many which has been plagued by constantly running into both Black Caviar and Hay List throughout his 2011 campaign.

If he can make an impact on the UK competition it would be a huge boost to the international standing of Australia’s already well regarded sprinting stocks.

“Hinchinbrook has been running well behind exceptional sprinters,” O’Connor said.

“It is very hard to win a big Group One sprint at home at the moment because of the two stars, Black Caviar and Hay List.

“Hinchinbrook is probably our (Australia’s) best colt – Black Caviar is a mare and Hay List is a gelding.

“I think he is terrific value at 12-1 as he is in good form.”