A bumper crowd of 25,000 is predicted at Moonee Valley this Friday night to see Champion Black Caviar step out for what has been billed as, her final race in Victoria. At $1.06 and up against six competitors, she’ll go out as she came in – as a winner. This will be win number twenty-four and Group 1 number fourteen.
William Reid Stakes Form Guide
1. GOOD BAA BAA – C Newitt (5)
An 11yo former Hong Kong Champion who has had three starts in Australia under the guidance of Rick Hore-Lacy. First up was a pleasing effort in the G3 Standish Handicap on New Year’s Day when fourth behind Adamantium and Catapulted. That was followed by another fourth (beaten 2.2 lengths) behind Force Command in the Kensington Stakes before struggling over the mile last start in the G3 Carlyon Cup at Caulfield in early February. Given a freshen up and the drop back to 1200m will suit however, will be given most of these a start.
Odds: $101.00
2. LUCKYGRAY – S O’Donnell (1)
Western Australian galloper who wasn’t able to keep up with the them over the 1200m in the G1 Newmarket a fortnight ago when first up from a thirteen week spell, finishing 6 ½ lengths behind Shamexpress. Unbeaten in three second up runs but the most recent two, over 1400m and in lesser grade. Won’t have the speed to utilise the inside draw and would prefer him in something longer.
Odds: $21.00
3. SPIRIT OF BOOM – R McMahon (7)
Ran a cracking race first up in the G1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) to finish 1 ¾ lengths third behind Mrs. Onasis before probably settling too close to the speed in the G1 Newmarket Handicap and, weakening late to run sixth – beaten 4.9 lengths. Wide draw won’t bother him and whilst his better runs are generally on bigger tracks, think he’ll be hitting the line better than most here.
Odds: $26.00
4. LINTON – S Arnold (3)
We haven’t seen this lightly raced 6yo since he finished twelfth of fourteen in the W. S. Cox Plate last year behind Ocean Park in October. He’s never competed at a distance this short previously and combined with his first up record of one win (which came over 1600m) and one placing (over 1400m), he’ll struggle to keep up with them.
Odds: $201.00
5. FAWKNER – C Williams (4)
First up here and he put together a very successful campaign last Spring that saw the Reset gelding claim three races including the G3 Tab.Com.Au stakes before narrowly being beaten by Happy Trails in the G1 Emirates Stakes (1600m). Like his stable-mate Linton, he is only raced for a 5yo and he improved with every start last campaign and may very well have continued in that direction over the break.
Odds: $61.00
6. BLACK CAVIAR – L Nolen (6)
She hadn’t raced in eight months after injuring herself in the process of winning the G1 Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot in June of last year but proved she was completely over that injury and scarily, back better than ever, by posting a track record time in winning the G1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) by 2 ½ lengths. That win took her record to 23-0. Simply – she’s a freak.
Odds: $1.04
7. KARUTA QUEEN – (2)
A stable-mate to Black Caviar who will provide the tempo that the mighty mare will sit off. She was first up in almost a year in the Listed Bob Hoysted at Flemington and showed her customary speed early but was unable to hold off the late challenges and finished 1 ¼ third to Isabella Snowflake and Ready To Rip. Can only be better for that run and the Moonee Valley circuit, where she is one from one, will suit but she’ll have Black Caviar breathing down her neck throughout and won’t be able to hold her off.
Odds: $26.00
OVERVIEW.
Kurata Queen leads out with Black Caviar camped at her hind-quarters. She’ll win the mare but expect the first up run and the Moonee Valley circuit, to help Kurata Queen hold on for second. Third Spirit of Boom will be doing his best work late and Fawkner, should get a nice run throughout from his gate and is capable of a good run fresh.
