The undefeated Australian superstar Black Caviar brought her record to a flawless 22-for-22 with a dramatic victory in the $775,000 Diamond Jubilee Stakes (Eng-I) at Royal Ascot today, holding off late charges from Moonlight Cloud and Restiadargent to win the race by a head.
Ridden to victory by Luke Nolan, Black Caviar got off to an alert start from gate fifteen and quickly settled into the third position, just behind the pacesetters Soul and Bogart. Also racing close to the pace was Krypton Factor, while Moonlight Cloud, the second choice in the field of fourteen, was toward the rear of the pack racing in eighth or ninth.
Approaching the quarter pole, Nolan asked Black Caviar for run and his mare responded by taking over the lead and opening up a one-length advantage. She maintained this throughout much of the stretch, but was unable to really kick away from the field as she had in previous race.
Then the drama really began. At the sixteenth pole, Nolan misjudged the finish line, believing the race was over. For about fifty meters, he eased up on his mare, allowing Moonlight Cloud and Restiadargent to rally furiously along the inside. However, Nolan realized his mistake in time and urged his mount to the finish, and Black Caviar dug in to win by a head.
Trained by Peter Moody, Black Caviar is now expected to return to Australia and prepare for the Australian spring races.
-Keelerman
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