Black Caviar has increased the public's interest in horse racing
There’s no doubt Black Caviar has become the most important horse of the modern era in Australia and that’s not just because her success on the racecourse.
It’s the way she’s broken down the divide between race fan and on-race fans and given the wider public a reason to return to the track.
People who have long forgotten or people who have never been interesting in horse racing were given an almost irresistible temptation to take an interest in the sport given Australia’s love for a home grown champion.
Even as she continues her break awaiting a return later in the spring, Black Caviar has continued to be the poster horse of the industry.
This was highlighted earlier in the week with a feature story on the horse shown by Australian Story on the ABC.
The reception of the show was nothing short of fantastic and the Melbourne Racing Club has reportedly been swamped in the days following taking calls from people interested in finding out more about her spring program.
Few are as pleased with the way things have come together than her jockey Luke Nolen who says the ABC did a great job in the way they told the story.
“It was really well done and quite tasteful,” he said.
“Some non racing fans and people I’ve talked to since then thought it was really well done and it peaked their interest.”
A new wave of supporters for the black flash is only going to increase expectations on the shoulders of Nolen to continue her winning streak first up but he says that it’s a pressure he has learned to deal with.
“There’d be a lot less pressure if she had of been beaten previously but all the build up you always have with her once you get on her back it sort of leaves you because she’s so relaxed,” he said.
Nolen is yet to ride the horse since her last win in the BTC Cup at Doomben but says he can’t way to throw the leg over again.
“I haven’t had a steer on her this time in yet, I only ever ride her in her serious gallops and when she’s at the races and barrier trials,” he said.
“She was back in the stables earlier this week so I’m pretty keen to get back on her and have a steer.”
