Every now and then a sports fan (or tragic) gets the chance to witness an event that will stick with them forever, an event so special that the memory lasts a lifetime. They get to see something so spectacular and dramatic that they will forever be telling anyone who lends an ear to the story: "I was there the day ..." 

On Friday night, a perfect summer evening that followed the national public holiday, 15,300 people became part of such a story. The lasting memory wasn't the effortless 17th consecutive victory by the best horse in Australia, it was the huge swell of fans wanting to salvage a small part of the action. 

Seeing Black Caviar in the flesh has become more than just about the horse - it has become an event. More accurately, a family event where people can leave contented at the end of the meeting and say: "I was there when Black Caviar ..." 

Until last year, I had two favourite racing moments, two events that really stood out for me. Even at the time, I realised that I had just seen something very special. 

The first was Lonhro's Australian Cup victory in 2004. That horse had a determination and thirst for victory like none other, and nothing was going to stop it from winning the race that was billed as its Melbourne swansong. With 200 metres to go, Lonhro was boxed behind a wall of horses, but not even a heavy body check with a few strides left was going to stop it from winning. 

The second was Makybe Diva's Cox Plate win in 2005. The other great mare of Australian racing (along with Sunline) came from the grandstand at Moonee Valley's notoriously narrow final bend only to triumph against the best horses in Australia and further underline her status as a racing immortal. 

Now Black Caviar has doubled my list of favourite racing moments. Her victory in the 2011 Newmarket Handicap, carrying the massive top weight of 58kg against the best sprinters in Australia, was supposed to be the mare's biggest challenge. 

What resulted were 70,000 Flemington spectators giving the mare a standing ovation from the 300-metre mark as she calmly eased passed the field, as if they were standing still, for a comfortable three-length victory. 

Friday night's victory in the Australia Stakes has now joined those three races at the top of my favourite racing moments. But Black Caviar's 17th consecutive victory - in nothing more than a barrier trial worth $120,000 - is not what I'll remember alone from the night. 

No, the race will for me will forever be coupled with the image of standing on the lawn of Moonee Valley, leaning against the fence, and looking back towards the grandstanding and seeing a wall of salmon and black spots.

On a Friday night in the middle of summer, with myriad other entertainment options on offer, officials were forced to open the gates for free admission just to let the crowd in. This is a small measure of the excitement and theatre of seeing certainly the best horse in Australia, and possibly the world. 

It was a different crowd too - a family crowd. I was there with my family, but it seemed as though people were really interested in the racing and the spectacle. They were all there to witness, and be a part of, something special.

Now Caulfield Racing Club is even considering allowing free admission for Black Caviar's next two runs - perhaps her last two on Australian soil. 

The Moonee Valley crowd was certainly aware of what awaits the champion in the coming months. Banners were draped from the terraces illustrating just what her success means for the local sporting culture - and spectator. The messages of support read: "Black Caviar made in Victoria," "Black Caviar - London calling," and "Black Caviar...Australia today...tomorrow the world". 

I hope trainer Peter Moody and the owners do continue with the plan to go to Royal Ascot and Dubai. Australian racing has taken a bit of a hit lately with the foreign legion reigning supreme in the Melbourne Cup, and our best export, So You Think, failing to capture its scintillating Australian form in Ireland. 

Black Caviar's mass of supporters, many wearing her distinctive salmon and black colours, also want to see the mighty mare take on the world. Assuming she gets past her next two runs at further distance, she will have proven against and conquered everything Australia has to offer. 

For that very moment when the mighty mare enters the barriers at Royal Ascot, I, like every spectator in that Moonee Valley crowd on Friday, will be able to say: "I was there when Black Caviar started her campaign to conquer the racing world."