Could unbeaten Black Caviar return to Royal Ascot?

Rumours are circulating that unbeaten Australian racehorse Black Caviar could return to England this summer, following her 23rd win at the weekend.

The six-year-old mare took the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes, named in her honour, on Saturday (16 February) at Flemington racecourse in Melbourne.

She has now extended her unbeaten run to 23 races.

It was her first race since her narrow win at Royal Ascot last June. She won by two and a half lengths to Moment Of Change, and beat the course record for five furlongs by 0.08seconds.

And there are rumours about her returning to Royal Ascot this summer, maybe coinciding with a visit to stallion Frankel, but this is all as yet unconfirmed.

Black Caviar was sent off favourite at 1-10 in the Lightning Stakes, though trainer Peter Moody admitted there were some pre-race nerves.

It had been well publicised that the “Wonder from Down Under” had put on a bit of holiday weight in her time away from the track and that connections had worked hard to get her ready.

“We were on a hiding to nothing by bringing her back,” Moody told Australian press.

“The job was done and we thought it was over, but to come back and do that and run a record, I’m lost for words. I think it was the first time I’ve been nervous for a long time — I suppose it was the seven-month break — but I’m just so proud of her.”

She’s been ruled out of the $1m Newmarket Handicap at Flemington on 9 March and will now be aimed at the William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley next month.

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