(Rod Gallegos is a senior commentator with Sky Racing and Sky Sports Radio.)

BLACK Caviar continues on her merry way with an outstanding effort in the BTC Cup at Doomben last week which poses the question: what are the odds about her going through her career undefeated?

At this stage, and considering the equine expertise of trainer Peter Moody, it looks a distinct possibility.

Without intending to tempt fate, her comprehensive dominance on the racetrack would suggest only extreme bad luck or extending her racing range beyond her capacity will prevent this magnificent mare retiring with a perfect score.

In the BRC Sprint at Doomben on Saturday, the Peter Moody-Luke Nolen combination have a strong chance of further enhancing their Brisbane strike rate.

Tampiko is a more than useful five-year-old mare. She may fall well short of her illustrious stablemate but she underlined her adaptability by moving from left-handed southern tracks to win right-handed at the Gold Coast in the Prime Minister's Cup a fortnight ago.

She again should make her considerable presence felt in this 1200-metre sprint.

***** 

ON Saturday, the weight-for-age Doomben Cup looks a competitive affair with the two UK imports, My Kingdom of Fife and Glass Harmonium, heading the pre-post betting orders.

Their position is justified on the form they currently are displaying but, if nothing else, I am loyal so I'm tipping a resurgence of the Gold Coast galloper, Shoot Out.

He hinted at a return to form with his slightly unlucky effort in the Hollindale Stakes at his home track a fortnight ago and there is a strong suggestion he now may be looking for 2020 metres, the distance of the Cup.

***** 

MERGING of the two race clubs into one super club to conduct Sydney racing is still in the embryonic stage but the first of the benefits will become evident during the spring carnival later this year.

A revamped program of races has been mooted with Saturday meetings alternating between Rosehill and Randwick.

What a splendid idea and a positive step towards ensuring the best possible racing surface.

Many times in the past we have witnessed the folly of having two, three or four successive meetings on the one track. It is only natural the ground becomes ploughed up, regardless of the weather conditions.

With alternate Saturday meetings at the two main tracks, the galloping surface will have more time to recuperate.

More importantly, the Australian Turf Club should induct the same system in the autumn when the grass-recovery rate would be considerably less than the spring.

On the question of tracks, few may agree with me but I still believe the moveable rail (originally it was called the false rail) is one of the worst innovations in racing.

Invariable after several rail position changes the previously protected area provides a fast lane.

Leave the rail in its true position and let the best jockeys find the best position to have their mounts placed.

After all, one of the paramount points of the racing rules is: 'The rider of every horse shall take all reasonable and permissible measures throughout the race to ensure that his horse is given full opportunity to win or to obtain the best possible place in the field.'