Trainer Roger James has revealed that he has doubts over the winning chances of Silent Achiever in the 2015 Hollindale Stakes and he believes that the talented mare will take benefit from the run heading to the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) on May 9.
Silent Achiever has not recorded a race win since she took out the 2014 edition of The BMW over a year ago. Photo by: Steve Hart
Silent Achiever returned to New Zealand following her sixth place finish in the Group 1 The BMW (2400m) at Rosehill Gardens and had a week in the spelling paddock before she returned to Australia for the 2015 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival campaign.
James revealed earlier in the week that he has been satisfied with the form of Silent Achiever this preparation, but he told The New Zealand Racing Desk that he has not been overly happy with the way that the O’Reilly mare has settled in Brisbane ahead of the Hollindale Stakes.
“She went home after racing in Sydney and had a week in the paddock before coming over to Brisbane,” James said.
“It’s a new environment and she hasn’t settled in quite as quickly as she usually does.
“She’s always been a hard one to freshen from a stayer’s preparation and that’s why it’s been a month between runs with a week in the paddock.
“Whether she’s sharp enough for 1800m this weekend, I have my doubts but this should have her spot on for the Doomben Cup.”
Silent Achiever was allocated a wide draw when the 2015 Hollindale Stakes field was released on Wednesday, but James is hopeful that barrier 13 could actually be a positive for the six-year-old.
James said that there is now less pressure on Silent Achiever to jump from the gates quickly and he is confident that jockey Kerrin McEvoy can find a nice position for his star mare in the early stages of the Group 2 event.
“He rode her well in Sydney,” James said of McEvoy.
“She’s drawn 13, but at the Gold Coast that isn’t the worst thing.
“If she’d drawn in and been slowly away she could be shuffled back on the inside.
“From wide out she might be able to scout for a handy position.
“There are a few things against her, but I expect her to finish in the first four.”
Silent Achiever is currently available at 2015 Hollindale Stakes odds of $5 and is now equal favourite with fellow mare Arabian Gold in the betting market for the Group 2 event with Ladbrokes.
