Cheka team to chase Caviar

Eve Johnson Houghton would be more than happy to see The Cheka finish second to Black Caviar in the Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot next month.

Johnson Houghton has successfully converted The Cheka into a sprinter this season, with victory in Doncaster's Cammidge Trophy backed up by a close second in last week's Duke Of York Stakes.

Incredible Australian mare Black Caviar has won each of her 21 starts to date and is a best priced 8-15 to extend that winning run in the six-furlong Group One on the Saturday of the Royal meeting.

"He came back from the race really well and we're just going to give him a week off now before getting him ready for Royal Ascot," said Johnson Houghton.

"He ran really well again last week and my thinking is something has got to be second to Black Caviar, so why shouldn't it be us?

"To be honest, I don't think Black Caviar is going to be worried about any of the British horses too much and if you offered me second now, I'd bite your hand off.

"Our horse seems to handle any ground. It could end up very quick by the Saturday of Royal Ascot and I suppose, if anything, I'd like it slower as he copes with softer ground better than others.

"I'm just delighted to have him in the yard and feel very lucky. It doesn't matter what we ask of him, he always gives it everything."