Nash Rawiller has won two of the past three editions of the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and he has the chance to score another win in the 2014 edition of the Group 1 event when he partners Silent Achiever at Royal Randwick this afternoon.
Silent Achiever has been one of the best-backed runners in 2014 Queen Elizabeth Stakes betting markets. Photo by: Steve Hart
Rawiller has had two rides on Silent Achiever for two Group 1 victories, taking out both the Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 22 and The BMW (2400m) at Rosehill Gardens on April 5, and the leading Sydney jockey is confident that the O’Reilly mare can cap off a perfect Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival campaign in the 2014 Queen Elizabeth Stakes today.
“She has been a mare all her career that has never let the team down and she has hit a purple patch this preparation,” Rawiller told Sky Racing HQ this morning.
“The blinkers have gone on and she has just come back so well from a spell.
“I was fortunate enough to pick up the ride on her and there is a race there for her today that once again looks very suitable.”
Rawiller had the opportunity to partner Royal Descent in the 2014 Queen Elizabeth Stakes this afternoon, after finishing second on the Redoute’s Choice mare in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) last Saturday, but elected to honor his commitment to ride Silent Achiever in the Group 1 event.
The in-form hoop admitted that it was a tough decision to give up the ride on Royal Descent and he believes that the four-year-old will be very difficult to beat in the Group 1 event this afternoon.
“It was a tough decision and I have a great association with Royal Descent also,” Rawiller said.
“Basically it has come down to the fact that I had the commitment to Silent Achiever this preparation and it would have been pretty difficult to go to Roger and say I’m getting off.
“She is still on the way up and she goes into today’s race primed to run the race of her career.”
Silent Achiever received a dream run into both the Ranvet Stakes and The BMW before storming home to score impressive victories and Rawiller is hoping that he will be able to position the five-year-old just off the pace, once again, in the 2014 Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
“She has been a look more adaptable this preparation and with the blinkers on she has been able to take a position,” Rawiller said.
“I see no reason why she wouldn’t be in the first four today.
“Worst case scenario we would probably be behind the leader and I guess if Green Moon goes forward with me that would be the cover that I would like and I can sit one off the fence running fourth.”
Silent Achiever is currently available at 2014 Queen Elizabeth Stakes odds of $4.60; with It’s A Dundeel ($3.60) now favourite as the odds of Carlton House ($5.50) have drifted significantly.
