When Black Caviar raced in Melbourne, Australia in the 2012 Australia Stakes her win made it 17 wins out of 17 starts.
‘It’s a wonderful privilege to be on top of Black Caviar. I thank God every day,’ said jockey Luke Nolen.
Nolen admitted he restrained the 6-year-old mare at the start, letting the others set the pace. At the final turn, he let her pull away then put the brakes on again.
She cantered over the line about four lengths ahead of the runner-up. The third-placed horse was another four lengths behind.
1. Length is a measurement (the length of a horse) used to describe the distance between horses in a race. One horse length = 8 feet. How many feet ahead of the second place horse was Black Caviar when she crossed the finish line?
2. How many feet was she ahead of the third place finisher?
People with little interest in horseracing are turning up to get a piece of history in the making. More than 15,000 were at the track, some dressed in Black Caviar’s black-and-salmon colours and many expecting a course record over the 1,200-metre race.
3. A furlong is a measurement used to measure the distance of horse races. 1 furlong = 200m. How many furlongs was the race?
How much longer will she run?
Black Caviar is a big horse, has an enormous stride and goes so fast that any misstep could be the end for herself and her jockey. Letting her rip does not make sense.
‘She’s probably at the stage of her career that any run she has now could be her farewell,’ Moody said, insisting that he would not hesitate to recommend her owners retire her rather than push too hard for greater honours.
In the next six months Black Caviar will have a go at 1,400 metres and Moody will decide whether to campaign abroad. The ultimate would be for the mare to take on her European rivals at the 1,200-metre Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot in England in June.
Moody said she was unbeatable over 1,200 metres and 1,400 metres.
‘Do you think something will run her down in an extra 200 metres the way she races?’ he asked.
Black Caviar went on to win 25 out of 25 races before retiring on 17 April 2013. Click here to watch a brief video about her career and what she’s doing now!
1. Length is a measurement (the length of a horse) used to describe the distance between horses in a race. One horse length = 8 feet. How many feet ahead of the second place horse was Black Caviar when she crossed the finish line?
Answer: 4 x 8 = 32. Black Caviar finished 32 feet ahead of the second place horse.
2. How many feet was she ahead of the third place finisher?
Answer: (4 lengths + 4 lengths) x 8 = 8 x 8 = 64. Black Caviar finished 64 feet ahead of the third place horse.
3. A furlong is a measurement used to measure the distance of horse races. 1 furlong = 200m. How many furlongs was the race?
Answer: 1200 ÷ 200 = 6. The race was 6 furlongs.
Photo source: YouTube
