Luck In Running Could Decide 2014 Queen Elizabeth Stakes

Trainer Roger James believes that there is little separating the leading chances in the 2014 Queen Elizabeth Stakes and is of the opinion that luck in running will play a key role in the outcome of the Group 1 event at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Silent Achiever is chasing her fifth straight victory in the 2014 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Silent Achiever is chasing her fifth straight victory in the 2014 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Photo by: Steve Hart

James’ star galloper Silent Achiever received dream runs just off the pace when taking out both the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) and Group 1 The BMW (2400m) during the 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival and the leading New Zealand trainer believes that there are a number of small factors that could be the different maker in the 2014 Queen Elizabeth Stakes this weekend.

“You look at the whole field and ability-wise there’s probably only three or four lengths between them,” James told The New Zealand Racing Desk.

“It comes down to how the trainer has them on the day, what sort of ride they get, how they handle the track.

“There are 101 things that decide the half-length here and there.”

Silent Achiever is yet to suffer defeat in four race starts this preparation and but James is confident that the O’Reilly mare has maintained her condition and has bounced back well from her tough win in The BMW at Rosehill Gardens on April 5.

The five-year-old was given her final piece of serious work on Tuesday and James said that both he and jockey Nash Rawiller could not be happier with the four-time Group 1 winning heading into the 2014 Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Saturday.

“She’s come through her BMW run really well; I think she bounced through it better than her Ranvet win,” James said.

“She’s a very relaxed mare who has travelled widely and takes pretty much everything in her stride and she’s happy in her surroundings.

“I haven’t had to do a lot with her.

“She only had one gallop this week and Nash was very happy with her and so was I.”

James elected not to give Silent Achiever a maiden opportunity over 3200 metres in the Sydney Cup this weekend, but is still keen to give the tough mare a chance over the testing staying trip; with the 2014 Melbourne Cup the long-term goal before a potential European campaign in 2015.

“You can get too far ahead of yourself and the Melbourne Cup is a pretty major mission and you don’t want distractions going into a race like that,” James said.

“If we get through a Melbourne Cup and we’re still happy with her, who knows where we might end up with her.”

Silent Achiever ($4.60) is currently on the second along of 2014 Queen Elizabeth Stakes betting, along with fellow Kiwi It’s A Dundeel ($4.60), while Carlton House remains favourite at a quote of $3.50.

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Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.