Will it be a happy 21st for Black Caviar?

Black Caviar, seen here winning the Schweppes Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield in October 2011, will be out to make it a happy 21st on Saturday. Image courtesy of racingfotos.com.

Black Caviar, the Australian sprinting sensation who has racked up 20 victories in her unbeaten career, will seek to make it 21 when she returns to Morphettville racecourse on Saturday.

The six-year-old mare broke the Australian record for consecutive wins when she won at the same Adelaide track in April.

Assuming all goes to plan, race 22 will almost certainly be the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot on Saturday 23 June, her first venture overseas.

Ominously for her rivals on Saturday, her trainer, Peter Moody, believes that Black Caviar will be in even better shape for the Group 1 Goodwood Handicap over six furlongs than she was in the Sportingbet Classic last month.

He told the Age newspaper: "That was always the plan – that there was going to be improvement from her first run to her second run and, hopefully, more improvement for England.

"That’s why we scheduled the two races for her in South Australia."

Her regular jockey, Luke Nolen, also reckons Black Caviar is coming to her peak ahead of her first international assignment.

He told the Herald Sun: "Adelaide has got right behind her.

"They won’t be disappointed as she’s ticking over very, very well.

"She’s taken a great deal of improvement from her first-up (run) and I think you’ll see Black Caviar near her best on Saturday.

"Fitness-wise, she’s tightened up quite nicely and we’re really happy where she’s at. Everything is right on target."