Black Caviar returned to racing in breathtaking style when stretching her unbeaten run to 17 at a jam-packed Moonee Valley on Friday night.

The world champion sprinter won the G2 MVRC Australia Stakes (1200m) in a super slick 1:09.44s.  Although never asked to hit top gear, she was just a tick outside the track record held by Miss Andretti.

More than 15,000 fans flocked to the Valley to catch a glimpse of the great mare.  The Moonee Valley Racing Club opened the front gates and let the growing crowd surge into the venue free of charge after lines at ticket booths became too long to service.

Black Caviar’s fans were not let down.  The undefeated superstar settled two lengths behind the leaders before unleashing her trademark blistering turn of foot coming to the 600m mark.  She cruised home four lengths ahead of Zedi Knight and Doubtful Jack.

“Great to see her back, attitude is good, action is terrific, hopefully it’s the start of a wonderful six months”, said trainer Peter Moody.  “She is just terrific for our sport, she’s puts us on the front page for all the right reasons.”

Black Caviar (Bel Esprit) was a $210,000 buy from Swettenham Stud’s draft at the 2008 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale.

Swettenham Stud will bring another strong group of 29 yearlings to this year’s Premier Sale which will be conducted over four days from Monday February 27 to Thursday March 1.

The Swettenham draft includes a Bel Esprit colt from the End Sweep mare Filly Of Choice (Lot 528).  He hails from a Newhaven Stud family that includes the G1 winners Burst (STC Golden Slipper) and Victory Prince (AJC Sires’ Produce Stakes).

Inglis will be gathering all those involved in Black Caviar’s career for the naming of the Black Caviar Bar at Oaklands ahead of her next start in the G1 C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 11.

Black Caviar’s third start this campaign is planned for G1 MRC Futurity Stakes at Caulfield on February 25, two days before the 2012 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.