Kiwi trainer Roger James tasted an overdue Australian Group I success with Silent Achiever when the mare gunned down the Queen's horse Carlton House in an epic Ranvet Stakes (2000m) on Saturday.
Silent Achiever had contested 10 Group I races in Australia without success before Saturday's race yet remained undefeated in her homeland after just two shots at the elite level across the Tasman.
James told Racenet during the week he thought his mare "may have found a bit of improvement" from the addition of blinkers.
"It's obviously done the trick. I felt all week we were a far better chance than what we were being rated," James said.
The trainer has been travelling across the ditch for more than decade but admits "you never stop learning" about how to improve your chances "over here where the racing is very tough".
"If you stop learning you should pack it in," he said.
"Nash's ride was masterful. I said to him not to get bogged down into any particular strategy pre-race.
"You can say that to the good ones."
James is convinced the daughter of O'Reilly can be competitive in The BMW, a race she finished a nail-biting second in last year.
"On the strength of her performance today, you'd have to say she'll be a great chance," he said.
"But for now we'll enjoy this win as it's something we've waited a long time for."
-racenet.com.au
