Black Caviar looking for win 24 in William Reid Stakes

Trainer Gerald Ryan will be one of many tens of thousands watching Black Caviar attempt to win her twenty-fourth consecutive race on Friday night in the Group 1 $400,000 Hacer Group William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley.

black caviar

Black Caviar going for win 24 in William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

And even though Ryan will be cheering like everybody else when the mighty mare maintains her unbeaten record, he will also be devising a plan how his record breaking filly Snitzerland could make history but defeating the world’s best sprinter if they were to meet over the Sydney Autumn Carnival.

“If Black Caviar’s slightly down on her game, then I’d say we’d be a terrific chance and I guess we’ll know more about how she is going on Friday night,” Ryan said.

Ryan watched on in astonishment as Snitzerland smashed the Warwick Farm 1000m track record in winning the Group 2 $175,000 Challenge Stakes on Saturday.

Snitzerland stopped the clock at 56.16 seconds for the 1000m and Ryan would be happy to take on the sprinting queen in the Group 1 $1m Darley T J Smith (1200m) at Randwick on April 13.

“I’ve never had one smash a record like that,” Ryan said.

“I wouldn’t be running away from Black Caviar, although I’d love to have taken her on fresh as my filly tends to race best that way.”

But Ryan has one main hurdle to overcome, Snitzerland is part owned by Neil Werret, who is also a major shareholder in the undefeated Black Caviar and you would think he would not want to put the great mare in any danger of getting beaten.

“You might have to talk the owner into it,” Ryan said.

Black Caviar, who won the weight for age William Reid two years ago, should add another Group 1 victory to her resume with only six opponents to line up against her on Friday night.

Peter Moody’s great mare has come up with barrier six in the seven horse field with stable mate Karuta Queen likely to set the pace from gate two with Tommy Berry back in the saddle.

Good Ba Ba, the winner of seven Group 1 races in Hong Kong will jump from gate five, but the eleven year old is struggling to find his form of old.

Perth’s favourite racehorse Luckygray will also take on the world’s best sprinter after finishing eighth to Shamexpress in the Group 1 $1m Lexus Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on March 9 at his first run since winning the Group 1 $500,000 TAB Touch.Mobi – Kingston Town Classic (1800m) at Ascot in the Summer.

Queenslannd trained Spirit Of Boom will jump from the outside while Linton, gate three and Fawkner, gate four, make up the rest of the field.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.