Trainer Clarry Conners concedes that his smart mare Satin Shoes is an unlikely conqueror of super sprinter Black Caviar in the Group 1 $500,000 Black Caviar Lightning(1000m) at Flemington on Saturday but will be happy to pick up the runner-up’s cheque.
Black Caviar not raced since winning at Royal Ascot last June. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
Satin Shoes is one of thirteen opponents that have been nominated to take on Black Caviar in the race that has been named after the world’s number one sprinter and Conners has almost conceded defeat.
“If we can run second to Black Caviar and get a Group 1 placing, then that will be ok,” Conners said.
”If you’re not in it you can’t win it and anything can happen on the day.”
Conners is confident that Satin Shoes will go into the Lightning in top shape and the Flying Spur mare is no stranger to running down the Flemington straight with a Group 1 placing behind Sepoy and Foxwedge in the 2011 Group 1 $500,000 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.
”She’s had a couple of jumpouts and won a trial here very very easily last week,” Conners said.
”She’s got down to Melbourne without any problems and will work down the straight tomorrow and line up on Saturday.”
Top Melbourne jockey Craig Williams has been snapped up by Conners for the Lightning Stakes ride after Paul Messara decided not to nominate his Group 1 winning mare Ortensia.
As well as Black Caviar, premiership leading trainer Peter Moody has also entered Group 1 winner Moment Of Change and short course specialist Golden Archer.
Moody is very pleased with the progress of his super star and said Black Caviar is ready to return to the racetrack after having a long layoff since taking her unbeaten record to twenty-two wins in the Group 1 £500,000 The Diamond Jubilee Stakes (6 furlongs) at Royal Ascot last June.
“I thought she was stuffed after Royal Ascot. I told the owners that it had come to an end,” Moody said.
“But, she travelled back from England really well, lost just seven kilos, really appreciated her time off and then had some time in the water walker.
“Her legs are all good. This is the race, the only race, I’ve set her for.
“It’s the best she has been in two or three years.”
Moment Of Change is having his first run back after winning the Group 1 $400,000 Clamms Seafood Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on September 30.
While Golden Archer has shown his liking for Flemington with a win and two seconds down the famous straight course.
Moody is waiting to see how Black Caviar comes through her first run for over seven months before mapping out a definite Autumn Carnival program which will be her last campaign before heading off to the breeding barn.
“This is the only race I’ve worried about,” Moody said.
“We’ll see where we go after the Lightning. There’s options for her, but all I’m worried about is the Lightning.”
Trainer Mick Price is confident that last year’s Group 1 Blue Diamond winner Samaready is in fine tune to take on the best sprinter in the world.
Samaready hasn’t raced since finishing a well beaten fourth to Elite Elle in the Listed $120,000 Quezette Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on August 18 but has pleased Price with her trackwork leading up to her return.
“We’re very happy with her,” Price said.
“She’ll go into the Lightning Stakes in good order. Of course, it’s going to be very difficult for her but she’s in good shape for it,” Price added with the thought of coming up against Black Caviar.
