Connections say Black Caviar may have run her final race after a dramatic victory in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot on Saturday.
Jockey Luke Nolen admitted an error of judgment in easing up prematurely in the Group One contest but still had a head to spare over Moonlight Cloud at the line.
She was stretching her unbeaten record to 22 but trainer Peter Moody felt his star mare was far from her best on her first start outside Australia.
"She'll go into quarantine now, so let's get her home," he said.
"This was always going to be the greatest risk of her career and for the last five or six runs we've always been prepared it might be her last.
"Hopefully that's not the case today but if she's as tired and worn out when she gets home she may have graced the track for the final time.
"I won't hesitate in any shape or form, but let's not put the cart before the horse. It's just a shame your public haven't seen as great a filly as she is. She's not going to improve from here on in as she's a six-year-old by your time, five by ours, but I'm so proud of her."
Black Caviar was later inspected by the on-course vets and given the all-clear.
Update:
Hello, regular commenting on Orange News and Sport pages closes on Thursday 30 May 2013. We will continue to provide a commenting facility on major news and sport events on orangeworld.co.uk. Contact us via http://oran.ge/OWfeedback if you have any further questions. Thanks.
what do you think?
David Kaspar
What a horrible track to run on, no wonder she nearly lost. Not up there with the likes of Flemington, that's for sure.
Dorrien Phillips
Have to admit I never ever followed Horse Racing, always bores me to tears, but turned over yesterday just out of chance and saw her, What a beautiful horse she is, and I actually stayed through the 30 mins of claptrap just to watch her and the race. If she is tired, then please don't push her, she has won you the money, now let her retire and enjoy the rest of her life.
Michael Hughes
7:00pm on 23/6/2012
After todays unimpressive run against what was the best around Europe, but not really top quality, maybe it`s time to bail out. She`s entered in the Darley July cup at Newmarket in a few weeks which will be pretty hot, so perhaps they don`t want her reputation lowered. A good horse ( in Australia ) but certainly not a 1-6 Favourite today.