The early nomination deadline for the Group 1 WFA $400,000 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on March 22 has seen the Moonee Valley Racing Club rewarded with thirty-four entries, including the prize entry of Black Caviar.
Black Caviar heads the William Reid nominations at Moonee Valley. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
The weight for age William Reid is expected to be Black Caviar’s next start even though connections are toying with the unlikely scenario of running the super mare in the Group 1 $1m Lexus Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on March 9.
Premier trainer Peter Moody has nominated five and as well as Black Caviar has entered new stable acquisition Karuta Queen, Stradbroke Handicap winner Mid Summer Music, Lightning runner-up Moment Of Change and smart sprinter Ready To Rip.
It was expected that Moody would keep Black Caviar to a weight for age program for her last preparation before heading to the breeding barn in the Spring, but after her devastating win in the Group 1 $500,000 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) at Flemington last Saturday, the Newmarket Handicap has once again entered into calculations.
“You never say never,” Moody said.
“I’m mindful that the Newmarket is a great race on her favourite track.”
“There’s no doubt in the world she appreciates running in a straight line because of the issues and injuries she’s had over the years.”
The world’s number one sprinter has now won eight of her twenty-three victories down the Flemington straight and showed her liking for the straight course when she broke Special’s long standing track record to set the new mark at 55.42s for the 1000m dash.
The Moonee Valley Racing Club will be preparing for standing room only if Black Caviar accepts for the William Reid after 27,047 racegoers flocked to Flemington last Saturday to see the mighty mare chalk up win number twenty-three.
“If Black Caviar was to contest the William Reid Stakes, the Club would expect a capacity crowd to witness one of the historic moments in Australian racing,” Moonee Valley Racing Club chief executive Michael Browell said.
Former top two year old Karuta Queen will be having her first run for the Moody stable in the Group 1 $400,000 Sportingbet Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday and a bold showing will tempt the top trainer to test her at weight for age in the William Reid.
“It’s interesting, she had a history of chasing Black Caviar when in an opposing camp,” Moody said.
“She trialled well at Caulfield recently and seems a really nice mare.”
At her only attempt at weight for age, Karuta Queen ran four and a quarter lengths second to Black Caviar in the 2011 Group 2 $200,000 Schweppes Schillaci Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield.
