CHAMPION sprinter Black Caviar made a triumphant return with a commanding victory in the race renamed in her honour at Flemington on Saturday.

Commencing what is expected to be her final campaign, the six-year-old is now undefeated in 23 starts following the all-the-way win under regular jockey Luke Nolen in the 1000m straight-course feature now known as the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes.

“I didn’t drop my hands on her today,” Nolen was reported as saying, referring to an incident in the UK that has dogged him ever since. He said that Black Caviar, now unbeaten in 23 career starts, “didn’t tow up like she can through the early and middle stages”, but she nevertheless managed to beat the course record for five furlongs by 0.08 seconds, winning by two and a half lengths from Moment Of Change. – from The Australian and The Guardian.