Racing: Perfect dozen for majestic sprinter

Wonderful mare Black Caviar makes it 12 from 12, beating a gallant Hay List in the Darley T J Smith Stakes on Saturday. Photo / Getty Images

They came to see one horse, Black Caviar, and the Usain Bolt of horse racing did not let them down.

A vocal crowd of more than 25,000 at Randwick on Saturday cheered the world's fastest horse out on to the track.

They roared her home again to victory in the A$1 million T J Smith Stakes, and they rose to give her a standing ovation in the mounting yard.

Jockey Luke Nolen applauded the super mare too, dropping his reins to clap the champion as he trotted her back after keeping her unbeaten record intact with a 12th win from 12 starts.

Black Caviar herself seemed to lap up the attention, posing for photos long after flashing past the post.

Victorian raider Shamrocker might have won the biggest race of the day, but Black Caviar was always going to steal the show.

It's not often that a horse can create an atmosphere like this.

It takes champions like Phar Lap, Tulloch, Vain, Kingston Town, Lonhro, Makybe Diva, Takeover Target and Gunsynd.

But Black Caviar looks destined to give them all a run for their money in the popularity stakes.

Special buses were laid on to bring punters to the Big Smoke from the country to see the 4-year-old wonder mare.

Thousands waved flags in Black Caviar's colours of salmon pink with black dots.

A couple of the owners' children wore the horse's colours in silks.

Black Caviar lapel ribbons, photos and other merchandise were on sale, and one lucky punter won a $12,000 Black Caviar bet on the nose.

Even at the ludicrously low odds of $1.14 it was enough to turn a A$1680 profit.

They cheered her everywhere, from the public stands to the corporate marquees peopled by the likes of autumn carnival ambassador Jodi Gordon, David Jones ambassadors Megan Gale and Emma Freedman and Emirates' special guest, English rugby star Danny Cipriani.

Black Caviar part-owner Neil Werrett was a bag of nerves.

"I've just got to remember to breathe," he said. "This race was named after a legendary trainer in Tommy Smith.

"We hope in the future we have a legendary horse."

The future seems to have arrived.

On a day when the AJC Australian Derby might have had to play second fiddle to Black Caviar, Shamrocker put it back in the spotlight when she became the first filly since 1989 to win the blue riband.

The Danny O'Brien-trained 3-year-old produced a superior staying performance over the 2400m to claim a unique double of the Australian Guineas and the Derby.

And the plan is to go for a treble with next week's AJC Australian Oaks against her own sex still a target.

"Provided she pulls up all right, she's definitely going to the Oaks," O'Brien said.

"That's been the plan all along.

"It's a very special day to be here and to win the 150th running of the Derby is a great honour.

"This filly is strong, she can stay and she loves Flemington, so the Melbourne Cup is the obvious aim in the spring."

Shamrocker, who finished third in the Rosehill Guineas last time out, started the $5 second favourite behind Guineas winner, New Zealander Jimmy Choux ($2.30).

Glen Boss, who lost his Derby mount Absolutelyawesome to injury, was reunited with Shamrocker and made the most of it.

He had her a little worse than midfield, rolling along comfortably, with He's Remarkable taking the lead in the early part of the race.

When the pressure went on in the straight, Shamrocker was up to the task and loomed up to Retrieve ($8), who had been second most of the way, and went past him.

Retrieve tried hard but was 1 lengths behind, with Anacheeva ($21) another 3 lengths away third.

Like O'Brien, Boss believes Shamrocker will be a force in the Melbourne spring.

- AAP