Posted by Tania Kindersley.
Today is the glory day. The kind Australians have sent us their finest mare; the best filly in the world, not on hyperbole, but on official ratings. She is only a shade behind Frankel, on the book.
She is a beauty, and all I want is to see her streak up that emerald straight.
But she has flown an awful long way. She is in a different hemisphere, for heaven's sake. On the other hand, when I saw her do some gentle work the other day, she was cantering along the Heath like a dressage horse.
If you can, turn on your television sets at 3.45 this afternoon. I hope you will see something really special. If she does maintain her unbeaten run, it really will be against all the odds. She has come from the other side of the world and everything here is strange for her. But Blighty will take her to its heart forever if she can do it, and I suspect that half the country will be cheering her on as if she were our own. Racing people respond to greatness, and she is one of the greatest we've seen for a long time.
Win, or lose, I shall love her anyway, because she is so bonny and fine.
Look out for John Gosden's two today: Aiken and Camborne. He could madly have another double. And I'll be having a massive shout for the lovely Mac's Power in the Wokingham. He's a really nice horse and he's value at 14-1.
More later. Running for the train now. But just wanted to lift my hat to Black Caviar, on her magnificent day.
I am sitting up waiting for the great race. So glad you are having a wonderful time. Am loving reading your posts.
ReplyDeleteDitto to Loulou. And as for Black Caviar, what a heroine, however the race goes.
ReplyDeleteBird
I saw it. I was not convinced she did as much as was needed or asked of her, why I cannot fathom as I am an ignoramus. But the jockey didn't seem to be even aware how close he was to being beaten, it seemed as if there had been one or two more strides left in the race beyond the post she'd have lost, sadly.
ReplyDeletePlease explain what we saw, and why Frankel won his race by eleven lengths and she only managed half a head. Was it the quality of the field here in the UK?
Goldenoldenlady, so glad you asked Tania to explain. I am curious to hear what she has to say.
DeleteMy guess is that the 36-hour travel time, southern to northern hemisphere, played a great role. And the jockey admitted that he misjudged how difficult the ground would be for her. In that light, she was an amazing fighter to dig in and hold on when she realized the others were upon her. If Frankel were flown to Australia and raced, he would have to overcome the same disadvantages.
Sorry for butting in! Bet Tania's as tired as Black Caviar after a week at Ascot, but hope her fingers feel up to typing soon.
Bird
Black Caviar is still 22 starts, 22 wins. And yes, the jockey didn't ride quite as well as he could have, by all reports.
ReplyDeleteHaven't seen it yet, just heard on the wireless. What a meet!