BLACK Caviar's comeback has been complicated by a massive weight gain.

The world champion sprinter stepped off the float at trainer Peter Moody's Caulfield stables last week at 610kg - 70kg above her racing weight.

Moody's staff could not squeeze Black Caviar into the famous compression suit that she wore to England before beating the world's best sprinters in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Ascot in June.

Caviar's comeback race is 37 days away, and Moody must get the six-year-old fit while avoiding recurrence of leg injuries that have threatened her career.

Even at her peak, the unbeaten mare's weight is off the scales - 540kg compared with 470kg for an average galloper.

Caviar has put on weight during a six-month break from the track.

She has started to lose some excess with slow trackwork since her return to Caulfield last week, having gained some fitness on the water-walker at Peter Clarke's Murchison property.

Black Caviar is scheduled to resume in the race named in her honour, the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m), at Flemington on February 16.

Moody will need to trim her weight at a rate of knots to have her fit and healthy for the challenge.

The plan always was for the superstar to return to Moody's stables with extra weight to work off - but not 70kg.

"She's a big, strong girl now, probably bigger and stronger than she's ever been," Clarke said yesterday. Moody was unavailable for comment.

If Moody can't shed the weight from Black Caviar as quickly as hoped, he may turn to the Group 1 William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley for a return run.

He then would have an extra five weeks to have her ready for the 1200m race.











Black Caviar - unbeaten in 22 starts - is likely to have an exhibition gallop during the Caulfield meeting on Australia Day as Moody steps up her work.

She galloped over 800m at Caulfield on Tuesday morning and Moody said all signs had been positive - but reiterated he would pull the plug on her career the first time she exhibits signs of not being interested.

Gallery: Black Caviar's unbeaten run

Gallery: Moody Magic