Black Caviar: will bid to take her unbeaten streak to 18 on February 27
PICTURE: Quentin Lang/quentinjlang.comBlack Caviar getting set for Dubai before Ascot
ROYAL ASCOT has been confirmed the priority goal for Black Caviar this summer - but a run in Dubai's $2 million Golden Shaheen became a more likely addition to her programme after a meeting between the connections of the unbeaten Australian mare on Friday.
Managing owner Neil Werrett said they would do nothing to prejudice the world's top rated sprinter's chances of running in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Ascot in June.
However, a visit to Dubai next month is being given more serious consideration as an objective, after she has completed her Australian schedule.
Black Caviar, who has won all 17 starts, is due to bid for win 18 in the Orr Stakes at Caulfield next week and then contest the Futurity Stakes on February 27.
Plans after that race had been more fluid until yesterday's gathering in Melbourne.
Trainer Peter Moody said: "Dubai wasn't really on the radar but it's on the table, as are a number of options.
"The Dubai trip was probably a ten per cent chance but now I'd say it's 50-50. If she went to Dubai, it would certainly break up her trip to England. There is ten weeks in between the two races, so that presents a few problems, but I am familiar with the logistics of it all and it's an option we are thinking about.
"She'd already had all her vaccinations for the trip to England, so that wouldn't be a concern if she was to go to Dubai.''
Moody has stated a wish for Black Caviar to record a 20th victory - beating Zenyatta's sequence of 19 - on home territory, which she could bid for in the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington on March 10.
There are other options at home should she miss the Dubai World Cup day on March 31, but the prize-money there and the chance of netting a $600,000 bonus offered as part of the Global Sprint Challenge are proving enticing.
There is an additional $1 million bonus for a horse that wins in three countries.
Werrett said: "Dubai is now highest on the priority list as long as she comes through her next two runs well."
Martin Talty, Dubai Racing Club's international department manager, said: "She is closer to coming here than she was a week ago and with luck that 50 per cent chance will increase with those two runs under her belt. We will do everything we can to get her here."
Comments