Trainer Roger James is confident that the step-up to 2400 metres will suit talented mare Silent Achiever in the 2014 The BMW at Rosehill Gardens this weekend.
Silent Achiever will be chasing her fourth straight victory when she contests The BMW at Rosehill Gardens this weekend. Photo by: Steve Hart
Silent Achiever broke through for her maiden win at Group 1 level in Australia in the Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 22 and James told RSN this morning that he expects the O’Reilly mare to perform even better over 2400 metres in The BMW – a race in which she finished second behind Fiveandahalfstar last year.
“The mile and a half is, at this stage of her career, her pet distance and I think that she is well placed,” James said.
“I’ve got no concerns leading into Saturday in that respect.”
Silent Achiever returned to the races with an impressive victory carrying the top-weight in a handicap event at Ellerslie on February 15 before recording back-to-back wins in the Group 1 New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at the same venue on March 8 and the Ranvet Stakes.
James elected to put blinkers on Silent Achiever for the first time in her career this preparation and the leading New Zealand trainer believes that the decision has clearly paid dividends.
“You would have to say so at this stage; she has had three runs in them and won them all and two of them have been Group 1’s,” James said when asked if the blinkers had made a difference.
“I think that it was a good call.
“In any race, if you can be handy to the pace it does eliminate a lot of variables.”
Silent Achiever completed her final piece of serious work before the 2014 The BMW this morning and James said that he was happy with the effort of the five-year-old.
James is confident that Silent Achiever will produce another strong performance this weekend, but admits that it is difficult to have too much confidence heading into a Group 1 event that features horses the quality of Fiorente and It’s A Dundeel.
“She has just completed her main piece of work this morning,” James said.
“She doesn’t take a big lot and I am happy with where she is at.
“You are never confident heading into Group 1’s and every trainer has their horses peaking for them and they are never easy to win.
“You can only be happy with your own and I think that she looks well placed.”
James will decide whether Silent Achiever will contest the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) or Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) after she runs in the The BMW this weekend.
