AUSTRALIA’S champion mare Black Caviar will tomorrow (Wednesday) embark on the toughest quest of her racing career and to keep her in shape during her long trip by air to the UK she has been fitted out with state-of-the-art attire for the journey.
As pictured, Nelly, as she is affectionately known at trainer Peter Moody’s Caulfield stables, is showing off a body suit that will help keep her comfortable and protected during her flight to the UK.
Moody said the idea of have a lycra compression suit made for the mare was sparked by fellow trainer John McNair and with some assistance from Australia’s world champion hurdler Sally Pearson they had the suit made to ensure Black Caviar is made as comfortable as possible during her marathon journey.
“I thought if a suit like this is good enough for Sally Pearson then it’s good enough for Black Caviar,” Moody said.
Moody said the mare is susceptible to soft tissue injuries and muscle tears so the suit will help hold her together during the 30-hour flight that includes stopovers in Singapore and Sharjar.
But from the look of the outfit Black Caviar could probably head straight to the Olympic Village in London after she fulfils her racing engagements and join the rest of Australia’s athletes who will vie for medals at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games.
Black Caviar’s first mission in the UK is the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 23 in which bookmakers have her installed the 1-2 favourite to keep her unbeaten record intact.
Black Caviar is unbeaten from 22 starts in Australia and she would only have to travel without any hiccups to make it win 23 in the Golden Jubilee.
Moody said he has the world champion in the best condition of her career.
“She is as fit as I’ve had her at this stage of a preparation. I don’t want to have to train her for the next two weeks.”
“She’ll just go out on the gallops and there should be no need to do anything major with her when we arrive,” he said.
Black Caviar is the world’s top ranked mare and highest-rated sprinter so Moody is understandably expects her to retain those titles in the Diamond Jubilee.
“The facts and figures tell you there’s not a horse out there who can beat her,” he said.