Wonder horse Black Caviar has turned down an invitation from the Australian Football League to join the parade on grand final day.
Connections of the equine superstar are believed to have told AFL officials they were concerned the horse could become frightened on the Melbourne Cricket Ground in front of almost 100,000 cheering fans.
The Age reported that a league executive held talks with the racehorse’s owners to thrash out the logistics of a cameo appearance on football’s biggest stage to celebrate her 22 straight victories, culminating in the June win at Ascot.
Black Caviar would have been led on to the MCG and walked around the boundary before the game as part of a parade that will include Olympic gold medal-winning hurdler Sally Pearson.
All of Australia’s Olympic champions from London, apart from cyclist Anna Meares who will be competing overseas, are expected to attend, with Usain Bolt still an outside chance to join the grand final festivities.
