As Black Caviar makes her way north towards the prospect of a 25th consecutive career victor
As Black Caviar makes her way north towards the prospect of a 25th consecutive career victory, the privilege and good fortune of being the managing owner of a horse like her is not lost on Neil Werrett.
The Group 1 T.J. Smith Stakes over 1200-metres at Randwick on Saturday will hopefully see the great mare conquer Sydney for the second time, having won the same race in April 2011 to notch up her 12th win.
Prior to the drama of Royal Ascot, Werrett saw Black Caviar's win in the T.J. Smith Stakes as a race where the champion mare was most vulnerable to defeat, given the fact it saw her venture outside her native Victoria for the first time.
“On the home turn at Randwick, that was probably the moment I’ve been the most frightened but then she went on to win by three lengths”, said Werrett of the Royal Randwick run-in.
“I always say her best wins were the Sydney race and the Newmarket Handicap (1200m, March 2011). “
Trainer Peter Moody reported that Black Caviar was at her sensational best at Monday morning’s trackwork session at Caulfield.
“When I spoke to him (Moody) after yesterday’s gallop he said that she’s never worked better and he was more excited than ever”, Werrett said.
“It’s quite daunting to think that she can get better when she’s a six-year-old mare and already mature.”
Seemingly this is becoming a common trait within her illustrious family, and is backed up by the performances of half-brother All Too Hard this season.
“I think it just goes with the breed as we have seen with All Too Hard (2012 Caulfield Guineas winner) this year and how he has developed into a really good three-year-old and arguably the best of his age in Australia if not the world at middle distances”, referring to the dam, Helsinge and her influence.
“She used to get a lot of injuries, and she still does, but Peter has managed it so well over the last five years.”
Looking towards this Saturday’s race and following Moody’s statement that Black Caviar will not start on a heavy track, the stormy weather over Sydney has had some people concerned that the Royal Randwick spectacular may be in jeopardy.
“Most of us are more worried about the weather than the horse today”, Werrett quipped.
“We don’t want to let anyone down. The last thing we want to see is too much more rain.
“We’ll be pretty relaxed when we see a Dead track on Saturday.”
Sydney’s weather forecast sees clearing showers expected on Wednesday and mainly sunny days in the final lead-up to “Black Caviar Day” at Randwick.
Of the race itself, Werrett isn’t taking the likely opposition lightly.
“It is a very good field with a lot of good horses on Saturday. She’s going to have to be right in tune to win. It’s not a gimme”, warned Werrett.
“I think people are getting a bit carried away. With Bel Sprinter, Hay List and Rain Affair, there are some really good horses in the race, anything can happen.”
Big occasion upsets have the successful businessman never taking anything for granted.
High pressure, expectation and attention have all become a constant with having direct involvment with Black Caviar.
“We saw More Joyous beaten last week and the last thing we want to see is something like that happen on Saturday.”
“It doesn’t get any easier, in fact it gets harder”, commented Werrett of being at the front-and-centre of the experience.
“A lot of responsibility rides on Peter’s management of the horse.”
But with that pressure the enjoyment isn’t lost.
“Racing is my hobby and my passion. It brings a lot of relief and distraction from work”, said Werrett of a seemingly busy racing life.
“It’s a great getaway from the headaches that work can give you.”
All being well for the track conditions on Saturday, public interest the Black Caviar magic has well and truly hit Sydney again with general admission tickets sold-out for Randwick’s Derby Day program.
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