Australia: Black Caviar stretches unbeaten streak to 14 in Schillaci Stakes

Black Caviar, Australia’s reigning Horse of the Year, extended her unbeaten streak to 14 races in Saturday’s Group 2 Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield, Australia. Black Caviar’s streak now equals the longest winning streak of the mighty Phar Lap, who won 14 straight in 1930-31.

Black Caviar won the five-furlong Schillaci Stakes by a comfortable four lengths over Karuta Queen in an overmatched field of seven rivals. Ridden by Luke Nolen, Black Caviar stalked the pace for the first quarter-mile and took the lead with more than a furlong remaining.

The Schillaci Stakes, worth approximately $192,800, was Black Caviar’s first start since a Group 1 win in May.

A 5-year-old Australian-bred mare by Bel Espirit, Black Caviar is trained by Peter Moody. Black Caviar could make her next start in the Group 2 Schweppes Stakes at Moonee Valley Racecourse on Oct. 22. In the long term, Black Caviar is a candidate for the 2012 Royal Ascot meeting in England.

Saturday’s Caulfield Stakes card featured three Group 1 races.

Helmet, owned by Sheikh Mohammed, led throughout the Caulfield Guineas for 3-year-olds, which was worth approximately $961,000. Ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, Helmet, the 6-5 favorite, held off a late threat from Manawanui to win by a short neck.

The 12-1 outsider Descarado won the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes over about 1 1/4 miles on turf. Descarado, a 5-year-old gelding by High Chaparral, won the Group 1 Caulfield Cup in 2010.

In the Group 1 Toorak Handicap for older horses over about a mile on turf, Mufhasa, an 8-1 shot, finished a neck in front of 7-2 favorite King’s Rose.