Fresh from the excitement of Silent Achiever’s Gr. 1 Ranvet Stakes win, trainer Roger James was back in New Zealand for yesterday’s Cambridge trials and still wearing a smile afterwards.
Horses to trial from James’ stable included Miss Foxwood, who had been freshened since finishing unplaced in the Gr. 2 Cambridge Stud Eight Carat Classic at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.
Contesting the final heat of the day, an open 1200 metres, Miss Foxwood scored a three-quarter length win in the hands of Mark Hills, beating former Australian galloper Thy.
“She won it very well,” said James. “It was a nice trial and she will now go to Te Aroha for the open 1400 metres but where she goes after that I’m not sure.”
A Queensland winter campaign is under consideration and Miss Foxwood has already proved worthy of such a trip.
Though she has won just one race, she has been placed in four of her other five starts and two of those placings have been in black-type events. She was third to Bounding and Spellbinder in the Gr. 3 James & Annie Sarten Memorial Stakes at Te Rapa then fourth to Costa Viva and Bounding in the Gr. 1 NZ Bloodstock 1000 Guineas at Riccarton.
Bhiwani, a stablemate of Miss Foxwood, finished runner-up to Open ‘N’ Shut in the previous open 1200-metre heat. She won decisively at Te Rapa two starts ago and was freshened after a fourth to Sir Darci at Ellerslie.
James is happy to report Silent Achiever has come through last Saturday’s testing win over Carlton House and It’s A Dundeel in good style.
“It was a tough run but actually she has come through it very well,” he said. “It was a bit special and it’s taken a bit of pressure off.”
James has three black-type contestants at Awapuni on Saturday. Full Count and Lady Cumquat will start in the Gr. 3 Higgins Manawatu Classic and The Tidy Express will run in the Gr. 2 Ezibuy Awapuni Gold Cup.
- The Informant
