Cambridge trainer Roger James has plenty to think about as he plots an assault on the Sydney Autumn Carnival riches with brilliant kiwi mare Silent Achiever (NZ) (O’Reilly) who has been back in his stable for just on a month now.
Unsighted since finishing a disappointing fourth in the Matriarch Stakes at Flemington in early November, Silent Achiever has pleased James despite a slight muscular problem putting her about two weeks behind where he would like the mare to be in the early stages of this preparation.
“She had six weeks or so in the paddock when she got back from Melbourne and I’m pleased with her despite being a couple of weeks behind where we would ideally be due to the muscular problem she had,” said James. “It’s fair to say she is still a streamlined model and didn’t put on much condition during her spell but she is very bright and coming on nicely.”
The Aus$2.25m Group One BMW Stakes (2400m) at Randwick on the 6th of April is the mare’s major Autumn target and James is currently plotting how to get the mare there in peak condition.
“The BMW has been her main four-year-old target all along and I’m on about Plan C at this stage on what is the best way to get her to the race,” explained James. “The setback she had has made things a little more complicated as ideally she will have three runs before the race however just what the mix will be and where has yet to be decided.
“She is about a month away from her first-up run but there isn’t much around in New Zealand for her so it is likely she will trial here before heading to Sydney for her build-up to the race.
“If for some reason we can’t get her to the BMW then the Queen Elizabeth Stakes or even the Doomben Cup in Queensland will then become her main target.”
- NZTM
