Trainer Roger James was understandably thrilled with the results posted by Silent Achiever through 2014 and is brimming with confidence of further top-level success this year after the classy mare completed a strong track gallop over the weekend.
Silent Achiever will target the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes upon returning to Australia in autumn. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia
Silent Achiever undoubtedly found career-best form over her 2014 autumn campaign; comfortably taking out the Group 1 New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie before crossing the ditch for impressive wins in both the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) and Group 1 The BMW (2400m).
Having been partnered by in-form Australian hoop Tommy Berry over the impressive gallop between races at the Karaka Million meeting on Sunday, James told The Daily Telegraph he is confident Silent Achiever is only just starting to become a serious racehorse, despite having won four Group 1 titles to date.
“She has run 33.5 seconds for her last 600m and you would know she’d had a canter,” James said.
“Tommy rode her in a gallop at this meeting last year and was on again today. He said to me ‘I thought she was flying last year but that was something else’.”
Ending her 2014 Autumn Carnival a credible fourth in the major Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m), James confirmed the $4 million race will again figure as the O’reilly mare’s major target this season, before a possible trip to France later in the year.
“The Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) might be her first run over there (February 28th),” James said.
“Then the Ranvet followed by the Queen Elizabeth.
“We’re looking at the Prix de l’arc de Triomphe (October) but would give her a couple of lead-up runs first.
“She deserves a chance on the world stage and I honest think she’s only just becoming a real racehorse.”
Breaking through for a maiden Group 1 victory in the 2012 edition of the New Zealand Derby (2400m), Silent Achiever secured several impressive results over her maiden Australian assault over the autumn of 2013; placing fourth in each of the Chipping Norton Stakes and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and a close second to Fiveandahalfstar in The BMW most notably.
Contesting a four race preparation through the 2014 Spring Carnival, Silent Achiever ran a credible fourth in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) first-up; progressing to fifth in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) and a forgettable ninth in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) before a close run for third in the featured Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) last time out on October 25th.
