October
JuneSub-standard Straddy
Would it not have been a great exit from racing if Black Caviar had been in the field for last Saturday’s Stradbroke Handicap?
While there may have been questions whether the unbeaten mare could carry about 62kg over 1400m, I believe she would have won, against one of the most moderate fields on record.
Apart from a barrage of three year-olds, we saw a swag of wet-trackers and much of the field would quality for welter races.
Of course if Black Caviar were to compete against previous winter stars in Brisbane, going back 30 years and more to Bernborough (the best ever), Black Onyx, Baguette, Bengalla Lad, Charlton Boy, Maybe Mahal, Manikato and Rough Habit, the story could be so ever different.
One cannot blame Peter Moody and the connections for gaining the all-time record for consecutive wins against moderate weight-for-age performers carrying a set weight.
The great horses of yesteryear always had ample time for conditioning when racing was at its best, with the only meetings at major tracks throughout Australia being conducted on a Wednesday and a Saturday.
Now, with meetings every day of the year (bar two), the consequent flood of maiden gallopers through to open company has seen the standard deteriorate.
We now see a barrage of quantity gallopers as against the quality of yesteryear.
Hendra (Qld)