The people's champion: Luke Nolen gives Nelly a pat on the head as Black Caviar returns to scale after winning the William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley. Source: Getty Images
Luke Nolen hugs Black Caviar after winning her 23rd consecutive race on a track where the champion mare has had tremendous success. Source: Getty Images
In the line of fire: Winning connections pose with the trophy after Black Caviar won her 24th straight race. Source: Getty Images
BLACK Caviar's owners have fallen victim to a spiteful attack on a thoroughbred racing website in response to a report claiming connections had demanded 220 members tickets for when the champion mare makes her appearance in the $1 million T.J Smith at Randwick on April 13.
The personal and hostile nature of the attacks saw television racing commentator Richard Callander decry the outburst, saying in a tweet late last night: "I know I started the Black Caviar drama on (TVN program) Racing Review but the level of criticism towards the owners has got out of hand."
The report claimed that the ever-increasing Black Caviar entourage approached the Australian Turf Club seeking the excessive number of members passes and a catered marquee for when she makes her first appearance in Sydney since April, 2011.
Werrett has since claimed on another racing website thoroughbrednews.com.au that the report was incorrect. There seems some conjecture over whether Werrett sought the 220 tickets for relatives and friends of the champion mare for free or intended to purchase them.
One post on the racenet.com.au website said: "This Neil Werrett is out of control. The egos of Black Caviar's owners and the media attention they get is out of control. They were a bunch of well-off river cruisers when they bought her and they're over $7 million to the better now, so for them to demand 220 members tickets to a race meeting at a place that's half ready is beyond ridiculous."
Another remarked: "I think Mr Werret is just getting carried away a bit with himself ... he's forgotten to consider what life will be like when this beautiful mare retires and how quickly he'll slide back down that ladder and just be one of us again!"
While one said: "Earth to BC owners, you aren't the only ones paying training fees! Chalk up one more reason to dislike this pretentious bunch", and another revealed: "I WAS a BC fan, but now I want her to lose to wipe that cheesy grin of Werrett and Co."
The disagreement over ticketing came to a head after the Australian Turf Club admitted Randwick track would have limited space over the carnival because of construction works on the new $150 million grandstand.
Werrett also appears to upset a select group north of the border after he made some negative comments about the harbour city's racing officials' lack of appreciation of the mare's pulling power before Black Caviar cantered to 24th consecutive victory at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
But for the time being that seems to be forgotten, with Black Caviar's syndicate of owners and trainer Peter Moody unanimously agreeing to take Black Caviar to Randwick during a telephone hook-up yesterday.
Werrett has said it was unlikely Black Caviar would race twice during the Sydney carnival, virtually ruling out any chance of her running in the $400,000 All Aged Stakes, where it had be mooted she could race for a possible extra $1 million winner-take-all purse.
Sadly, Black Caviar's extraordinary record of 24 consecutive wins has come under attack on the website, with a minority group again questioning the calibre of horseflesh she has taken on.
Timeform ratings have a far different appraisal of the mighty mare, with her second William Reid Stakes win being assessed at 131+. They indicate she is fast approaching the top of her game, although she is yet to reach her peak rating of 136 this time in.
The William Reid was Black Caviar's seventh consecutive Group 1 win, a record she shares with Queensland champion Bernborough. It was also her 14th Group 1 success, equalling the great Kingston Town for the number of career Group 1 victories.
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