Mighty mares may not return
- BY:BRENDAN CORMICK
- From:The Australian
- August 20, 2012 12:00AM
DECISIONS on possible retirement for two of the most admired mares of the Australian turf will be made within weeks.
Injuries to Black Caviar and Atlantic Jewel have robbed the spring racing carnival of its biggest drawcards, but it could well be the pair, which it was originally hoped would be back for the autumn, may already have taken their final bow.
The sad reality is that the largely untapped Atlantic Jewel may have run her last race after being ruled out of the spring carnival last Wednesday.
Unbeaten in seven starts and a multiple Group I winner, Atlantic Jewel injured a super flexor tendon extending to the end of her pastern, but scans have been sent to Europe for review.
Coolmore, who shares in the ownership, is awaiting advice from veterinary specialists. The brilliant, but fragile, mare has had a history of issues during her brief, but dazzling, career.
For several of the connections of Black Caviar, they laid eyes on her last week for the first time since she arrived home from her English odyssey. Black Caviar is recuperating after receiving soft tissue injuries in her Diamond Jubilee Stakes victory at Royal Ascot in June.
Further examinations will take place between now and late next month, which will determine whether the winner of 22 races from as many starts is able to enhance that record. Either Black Caviar will resume training coming into the summer period and begin what could be her last campaign in February or go directly to the breeding barn.
lTrainer Robert Smerdon has earmarked the Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) at Flemington on September 8 as the stepping-off point for the revised Cox Plate campaign of three-time classic winner Mosheen.
Runaway winner of the Crown Oaks last spring before capturing the Australian and Randwick guineas in the autumn, Mosheen was ready to resume racing when an irregular breathing noise detected during a gallop shed light on an issue that required surgery last week.
