LUKE NOLEN'S LUCKY ESCAPE ON BLACK CAVIAR AT ROYAL ASCOT

Despite the story already being re-told for the past few days, Black Caviar’s nail-biting win at Royal Ascot is a race that I keep watching on repeat for two reasons.

One: The wonder from Down-Under was spectacular to watch as she wowed the crowd with her ability to run like the wind. Comparisons have been made between the mare and Frankel but both are completely different: Black Caviar is a sprinter whereas Frankel enjoys the distance.

And two: Jockey Luke Nolen’s rookie error. He stupidly eased Black Caviar for a few frightful seconds as she approached the winning post, allowing Moonlight Cloud and Restiadargent to gain advantage.

77,000 Aussies gathered together on the day to watch Peter Moody’s mare compete in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes expecting to see their heroine make it 22 out of 22 wins.

But cheers from the opposite side of the globe joined the gasps from spectators here in the UK. Imagine what would have happened if a British jockey had caused their Australian horse to lose. After so much hype and media coverage, it would have been awful if Moonlight Cloud, who finished in second, had snatched the victory.

Going into the race, the mare’s domestic rating was 132, 15 pounds below her official rating in Australia. Respect, however, has to be given to the horse. Considering she had pulled muscles in her back she produced a feisty performance to maintain her unbeaten record.

The relief on Nolen’s face when Black Caviar was announced as the overall winner is a picture that will not be forgotten quickly. Black Caviar’s close encounter is a race that will be repeated over many years.

If Nolen hadn’t eased her up then Black Caviar would have won by more than a nose, something that handicappers would have considered in giving her performance rating two pounds higher than given to French rival Moonlight Cloud.

Black Caviar flew the flag for her country with triumph and her win works as a fitting end to the BBC’s coverage of Royal Ascot. Similar to the Grand National, the narrow victory demonstrates the excitement and passion that the BBC had towards the iconic race meeting.

With the opinions and analysis of the race still being published, I reckon I won’t be the only racing fan to replay Black Caviar’s royal win at Ascot.

Also published at: @valuehorsetips - Follow me every Thursday on their blog for 'Thursday Thoughts from Abby Rugg'.

ROYAL ASCOT SELECTIONS - DAY THREE (THURSDAY JUNE 21)

15:05

• Momentary
• Been trained specifically for this race and looks to progress further. 
• Princess Highway
• A lot of talk surrounding this filly and keeps on improving.

15:45

• Fame And Glory
• Difficult to look past this one. Last year's winner and has the ability to perform well again.
• Saddler's Rock
• Beat Opinion Poll by four lengths last year and has what it takes here.

16:25

• Prince Alzain
• A potential player in this race. Good form. Looks ideal.

17:00

• Grandeur
• With Dettori on board the horse can pull out an impressive win here. Progressive horse. Shouldn't be dismissed.

17:35

• Rocktherunway
• Always prominent. With good form and a race previously won at this distance the horse has ability to out shine the others.

FRANKEL AND BLACK CAVIAR - BATTLE OF THE SEXES?

If you failed to watch Frankel's stunning sprint at Royal Ascot on Tuesday afternoon then you missed a piece of spectacular history being created. 


His 11th straight victory has been making headlines worldwide so you don't need me repeating the stories. 


But what I will say is that watching the colt win by an eye-bulging 11 lengths gave me goosebumps. I watched jockey Tom Queally remain with the pack and then suddenly lurch into action.


It was as if Frankel and Queally had a close connection on the day. Both jockey and horse must have thought: "Oh god, what will happen if we don't win? There's a lot of people here today... Err right, here we go. RUNNN!!" 


Or something similar to that effect...


Sir Henry Cecil's horse is something special and watching him observe Frankel after his win on Tuesday showed how much time, effort and patience he puts in to produce fantastic moment's like that one.


Now the attention is growing more on Black Caviar. I heard someone say the other day that the 2012 Royal Ascot meeting is turning into the battle of the sexes. Can the colt out-do the mare within the racing event?


What ever happens on Saturday, Black Caviar has done her team proud. The Diamond Jubilee Stakes is her first race off Australian soil and I think she will make her 22nd start one to remember. 

ROYAL ASCOT SELECTIONS - DAY TWO (WEDNESDAY JUNE 20)

14:30

• Sovereign Debt
• Has won here before when 11/4 favourite despite being held up in rear. Has the ability to pull through again.
• Producer
• Won previously at this distance before and could do well here to place.

15:05

• Chachamaidee
• Sir Henry Cecil's filly has been aiming for a win in this race. She looks set to do better than last year. 
• Nahrain 
• Seems to be the biggest threat. Shouldn't be dismissed.

15:45

• Carlton House
• Even though still lightly raced has the style to proceed well. Favourite has disappointed punters before so Sir Michael Stoute's horse looks to be the main threat.

16:25

• Boom and Bust
• Progressive horse. Has the ability to do well with Hayley Turner riding.
• Arabian Star
• Perhaps an ideal place. Has won distance before.

17:00

• Jadanna
• Looks set to win with Dettori on board. The filly performs well and has bookmakers vote.

17:35

• Esentepe
• This trip will suit her. Progressive filly and can find extra acceleration 

ROYAL ASCOT SELECTIONS - DAY ONE (TUESDAY JUNE 19)

14:30

• Frankel
• This spectacular horse looks set to continue making history and looking at his odds the bookmakers seem to think so as well. 
• Is Frankel's price too short for your liking? Try these for second and third:
• Excelebration
• Premio Loco

15:05

• Ortensia
• Seeing as this week is about Black Caviar, I'm hoping to see if other Australian horses can pull out a win. Ortensia placed first out of 15 in previous race and with 23 in this one can come out on top.

15:45

• Power
• Leading favourite and looks likely to win here. 
• Lucayan
• Could possibly make an interesting second.

16:25

• Dawn Approach
• A lot of talk around this colt. Has the ability to win here and heavily backed.

17:00

• Al Khawaneej
• Shortlisted. Liking the look of this horse and could set up a win.
• Dark Ranger
• Consistent horse. Ideal for a place bet.

17:35

• Hototo
• Has won on distance before and with previous win could possibly place first if can hold on again.
• Cosmic Chatter
• Like the look of the horse. Has also won distance before and can get a victory with Gibbons riding. 

ROYAL ASCOT ENCOURAGES APPRECIATION FOR FLAT RACING

Royal Ascot begins tomorrow, arguably the most exciting flat racing event around, and great horses have already been making headlines across the globe.

Even I am incredibly interested in this year's race meeting, something that hasn't really happened in the past.

I've always been a huge fan of National Hunt racing and it's only since I've had the burning ambition to become a journalist for the sport that I have gained a greater interest in the flat.

Black Caviar is the horse that has made the flat more attractive for me: she hasn't lost a race in 21 starts and her journey from Australia to the UK had me searching her name.

 

She is a very influential mare I must admit. Of course I have always followed horses on the flat but not as regularly as National Hunt.


Big Bucks, Midnight Chase, Denman, Kauto Star, Swincombe Flame, Katchit are all huge names in NH racing that I have grown up with and consequently admired. They're the horses that have encouraged me to go to race meetings and watch them run in the flesh.


But now I want to learn more about the flat, the jockeys and trainers and discover the difference between NH and flat horses; what makes them tick, their training schemes and the obstacles they must overcome to win a race.


I want to encourage all NH lovers to do the same: watch Royal Ascot this week and find a new appreciation for the flat. Don't dismiss the idea, it can arguably be as exciting. You've just got to find a new technique to put your finger on the winner.




Photo take by Jake Owens - Royal Ascot, Gold Cup Race, June 16th 2011. Taken from Flickr

BLACK CAVIAR TREATED AS ROYALTY AHEAD OF ASCOT

Black Caviar is in good health after her marathon journey to England.

The mare travelled for 30 hours from her stable in Australia to the UK and has dropped nine kilos from her weight of 580kg.

She is to run in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot in just thirteen days and pundits have already turned to bookmakers for her latest odds.

It’s as if royalty has landed in the country: the mare has been unbeaten in 21 starts and the world of horseracing has been rocked by her red carpet arrival.

Who can argue that horseracing is a dying and cruel sport now? I have never seen a horse’s journey to this country fill newspapers and websites in an instant.

It delights me in watching the preparations for the horse: time, patience and hard work is visible and the trainer, owners, pundits and journalists are treating her with the respect that she deserves.

Trainer Peter Moody has said that he is a “bit nervous about it all” and I don’t blame him! A lot of money is being ridden on Black Caviar’s back but not only that, the effort towards maintaining the mare’s profile has been huge.

Black Caviar’s journey just proves how much of an athlete a horse can be in comparison with a human.

No other Australian horse has been a big star since the 1930’s Melbourne Cup winner Phar Lap.

But can Black Caviar win in just under two weeks' time and claim her 22^nd victory? Yes, I think so.