Give Peter Moody what he wants with Black Caviar, writes Rod Nicholson

VICTORIAN racing officials should be making every effort to influence the owners of Black Caviar to let her race on next season.

VICTORIAN racing officials should be making every effort to influence the owners of Black Caviar to let her race on next season, as trainer Peter Moody desires.

The superstar, winner of a record 15 Group 1 wins in her unbeaten 25-race career, has an extraordinary impact, including - crucially - attendances.

When the mare ran in the William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley on the evening of March 22, the club had a crowd of about 25,000, up by 20,000 on the previous year, when she didn't run.

Randwick on Saturday was restricted because of building work, but it was bursting at the seams when she won the T.J. Smith Stakes.

Two years ago at Morphettville, the South Australian Jockey Club's feature sprint, The Goodwood, attracted a couple of thousand racegoers.

But there were 30,000 when Black Caviar ran in the race last May.

Officials may have to wait decades for another galloper to grip the public imagination in the way she has done, to lure the casual observer to the racetrack and to entice those unfamiliar with the sport.

That's why it is important that every effort is made to keep her racing -- particularly here in Victoria -- for another year.

Moody maintains that Black Caviar does not need to travel overseas to prove her qualities - she did that last year at Ascot - because rivals can come here, compete for superior prizemoney, and enhance Australian racing.

He would like Black Caviar to have a rest now, to allow him to set her for the spring.

The champ could run in the Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield, the Schweppes Stakes at Moonee Valley and then try for a fourth Patinack Farm Classic victory at Flemington.

She didn't compete last spring because she was recovering from her trip to England.

Officials at Racing Victoria, and the three city clubs, should be wooing Moody and Co intensely to get her back for one final lap of honour in the spring, at whatever cost.