The chances of seeing the Australian horse Black Caviar on the racetrack again appear to have diminished after connections decided the mare would bypass the spring carnival in Melbourne.
Trainer Peter Moody says the unbeaten champion will remain in the spelling paddock until at least September when a decision about her future will be made.
Black Caviar has been recuperating from muscle tears she sustained while winning her 22nd race from as many starts in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes in June.
It means she will miss a shot at the global sprint challenge bonus of a million dollars if she was to win the Hong Kong Sprint in December.
Her absence from the spring is a blow for race clubs, particularly Moonee Valley which had been hoping a Black Caviar win in the Manikato Stakes would be a perfect prelude to its Cox Plate meeting a day later.
