Flemington: Black Caviar going for 16th straight win

Black Caviar will attempt to stretch her unbeaten streak to 16 races when she starts as a prohibitive favorite in Saturday’s $1.03 million Patinack Farm Classic at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia.

Australia’s reigning Horse of the Year, Black Caviar has six rivals in the Group 1 Patinack Farm Classic, which is run over about six furlongs on turf. Trainer Peter Moody told the Herald-Sun newspaper in Australia that the 5-year-old Black Caviar has maintained excellent composure as her undefeated streak continues.

“That pressure is mounting each time she goes to the races and wins another race,” he said. “It’s continued to grow, but she’s really learnt to cope with it. As she’s gotten older and matured, she’s really learnt to soak it up, and now very little worries her.”

Black Caviar has made two starts in recent months since returning from a break over the Australian winter. She won the Schweppes Stakes over about six furlongs against three rivals at Moonee Valley on Oct. 22 in her last start. That field included Scenic Blast, who was stakes-placed in the United States in 2010 and is part of the Patinack Farm Classic field. Luke Nolen will ride Black Caviar on Saturdasy.

Saturday’s program at Flemington also includes the $1.03 million Emirates Stakes, a Group 1 over about a mile. Jimmy Choux, second in the Group 1 Cox Plate on Oct. 22, will be favored in a field of 20.