Is there any chance of a dream clash between the world’s two best racehorses, Black Caviar and Frankel?
The only possibility of the two unbeaten champions being in the same place at the same time is England’s famous Royal Ascot meeting in June.
And if the race of the century was to eventuate, it could be the Group I Queen Anne Stakes over a mile (1600m) on the opening day of Royal Ascot – although the odds are slim that both will contest the race.
Black Caviar’s trainer Peter Moody is keen to stretch the mighty mare out over longer race distances during the autumn and is aiming her at races such as the Orr Stakes and Futurity Stakes over the Caulfield 1400m.
Moody has always felt Black Caviar could get at least 1600m and if the mare wins the Orr and Futurity easily, then it provides more options when she does go overseas.
It is assumed Black Caviar’s main overseas target is the Golden Jubilee Stakes over 1200m but Moody remains non-committal at this stage.
“Everything is geared to Royal Ascot,” Moody said.
“We will see how we get through the Orr and the Futurity before we decide what is the best play.”
Black Caviar was afforded a 132 rating and second place behind Frankel (136) on the 2011 World Thoroughbred Rankings released in London earlier this week.
The question of a showdown between Frankel and Black Caviar was put to Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to Frankel’s owner Khalid Abudullah, at the WTR ceremony and he also admitted it was a long shot.
Grimthorpe said Frankel was expected to reappear at Newbury in May but would be “very unlikely” to clash with Black Caviar.
“The horse is fine and he’s trotting at Warren Place and the initial plan remains the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury for him,” Grimthorpe said.
“I think it is very unlikely that he and Black Caviar will meet as I would be surprised if she went up to a mile, whilst Frankel is going to be mainly campaigned over 10 furlongs (2000m).”
Some English bookmakers are already framing markets on whether both champions can remain unbeaten this year.
Black Caviar is at 4/6 to lose first with Frankel at 2/1, while 6/1 is being offered about both maintaining their perfect race records.
Black Caviar’s 132 rating means she is now the highest-rated mare ever since the WTR was first released in 1977.
Buford Balony says: Black Caviar would smash Frankel. The only reason he’s rated better is because he’s European and a male.
