Australia: Black Caviar goes after 20th straight in Sportingbet Classic at Morphettvile

Black Caviar will have nine rivals when she attempts to extend her unbeaten streak to 20 races in Saturday’s Group 1 Sportingbet Classic at Morphettville Racecourse in Australia.

Unraced since February, Black Caviar is expected to have two starts in Australia in coming weeks before traveling to England for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 23. After Saturday’s race, Black Caviar is expected to start in the Group 1 Goodwood Stakes at Morphettville on May 12.

Wednesday, Black Caviar was a 1-25 shot to win the $408,000 Sportingbet Classic, run over about six furlongs on turf for fillies and mares.

Trained by Peter Moody, Black Caviar drew post 3 in the field of 10.

Luke Nolen, her regular rider, has the mount.

Tuesday at Caulfield Racecourse, Black Caviar worked about a half-mile in 50.96 seconds.

Black Caviar has won six races since returning from a five-month break last October. The narrowest margin of victory in that span occurred in her last start, when she won the Group 1 Lightning Stakes over five furlongs by 1 3/4 lengths over the multiple stakes winner Hay List.

Lone Rock, a 5-year-old mare, was fifth in the Lightning Stakes and is the second choice in betting for the Sportingbet Classic, at 16-1.

Morphettville officials said on Tuesday that the 30,000-capacity racetrack is sold out for Saturday’s program.