Black Caviar out to go 15-0

The $3 million Cox Plate, a key prep for the Melbourne Cup on Nov. 1, is the richest of nine races on Saturday’s program at Moonee Valley Racecourse in Australia. But the lucrative race must share attention with Black Caviar’s attempt to stretch her unbeaten streak to 15 races in the $300,000 Schweppes Stakes on the undercard.

Black Caviar has four rivals in the Group 2 Schweppes Stakes, which is run over about six furlongs. Black Caviar won her 14th race in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield, Australia, on Oct. 8, her first start since May.

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In the Schweppes, she faces the multiple stakes winner Scenic Blast, who raced briefly in the United States in 2010. The 2008-09 Horse of the Year in Australia, Scenic Blast was winless in five starts in California for trainer John Shirreffs. Shirreffs trained Zenyatta, the winner of her first 19 races and the 2010 Horse of the Year.

The Cox Plate field of 15 is led by Helmet and Jimmy Choux, winners of their last two starts.

Helmet, a 3-year-old Australian-bred colt by Exceed and Excel, won the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas over a mile on Oct. 8. The Cox Plate will be his first start over about 1 1/4 miles.

Jimmy Choux, a 4-year-old New Zealand-bred colt by Thorn Park, won Group 1 races in New Zealand in September and earlier this month.

AUSTRALIAN RACING: Cox Plate analysis, free PPs, watch live late Friday »