Caviar set for historic treble
- BY:BRENDAN CORMICK
- From:The Australian
- February 21, 2012 12:00AM
BLACK Caviar is a step closer to running in the $502,000 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday and a shot at the final leg of a unique treble.
Trainer Peter Moody’s veterinarians and chiropractor examined the mare yesterday and found no physical faults following her 19th victory at Flemington on Saturday.
No horse has ever won the C F Orr, the Lightning and Futurity Stakes in the same season, but Black Caviar has won the first two legs and will go into the third a long odds-on favourite.
Wenona Girl won the Lightning and Futurity in 1963, but was beaten by Aquanita in the Orr Stakes.
Black Caviar was one of 16 nominations for the Futurity. Among her prospective opponents will be Cox Plate winner Pinker Pinker, who is resuming, and Toorak Handicap winner King Mufhasa, who is booked on a flight from New Zealand on Wednesday night.
King Mufhasa was runner-up under weight-for-age conditions at Te Rapa last start, but his run was full of merit after being caught three-wide.
Moody’s concerns regarding access to a barrier attendant and permission to use a barrier blanket in Dubai and England were unnecessary.
Black Caviar has approval for both.
NSW gallopers Shoot Out, Centennial Park, Niwot, Rain Affair and Star Of Octagonal are entered for the Futurity and the $250,000 Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill. With rain persisting, trainers need options as autumn carnival features creep closer.
Owner Barry Griffiths has paid the $55,000 late entry fee for Formidable to run in the $1 million Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday. The field will be finalised this morning and the barrier draw will take place in Melbourne’s city square at 12.30pm.
Owners Neville Duncan and Fred Kersley have sent Grand Nirvana to Melbourne to run in the $400,000 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday and the $1m Newmarket Handicap (1200m) on March 10.
Kersley trains the consistent gelding in Perth, but has entrusted the horse to Patrick Payne to prepare. Payne rode Northerly to his second Cox Plate triumph for the connections but now trains a team west of Melbourne at Plumpton.
Brad Rawiller, who rode Grand Nirvana to win the Scahill Stakes at Ascot in December, will take the ride on Saturday.
“He arrived in great order and he is a lovely horse to do anything with. He’s here just for the two races and then goes back home,” Payne said.
