Pam Gerard is a bundle of nerves as she gets ready to shoot for her second consecutive victory in next week’s Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton.
The Matamata trainer won last year’s edition with standout colt Savaglee, and this year she is set to line-up Affirmative Action, who shortened into $3.80 favouritism for the race following his victory in the Show By SkyCity 1400 at Ellerslie on Tuesday.
The son of Yes Yes Yes hadn’t raced since his victory in the Listed Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1400m) at Ellerslie two months ago, but his connections were confident of a bold showing, and he duly delivered.
Affirmative Action jumped well out of the gates and settled outside of pacemaker Faultless. Jockey George Rooke was content to sit quietly until the 300m mark where he asked his charge to improve, and he quickly found the front. However, Faultless rallied and the two entered a duel in the concluding stages, with Affirmative Action getting the better of his rival to win by a neck.
Gerard was pleased with the victory and said there is plenty of improvement to come from her gelding ahead of next week’s Group One test.
“He didn’t do it easy today, so there’s still plenty of improvement,” she said. “He has done what he has had to do. It hasn’t been an easy road, it’s been nearly six weeks (since he last raced), so it was a good effort from the horse.”
Gerard admitted to being relieved by today’s result, but now having the favourite’s tag once again for the 2000 Guineas has only added to her nerves.
“I am pretty relieved really and I am now nervous for the next one (2000 Guineas),” she said. “George (Rooke, jockey) is really confident and that makes me even more nervous.”
Gerard said Affirmative Action and Savaglee are two very different horses, but the former has the capability of replicating his stablemate’s southern heroics next week.
“Savaglee was very nippy and full of character and this fella is quite the sleepy lion, you never know what is quite going to come out,” she said. “He seems to get to raceday being a true professional and hopefully he can keep doing that.
“The way he jumps out and relaxes, that is a huge bonus. If he can jump out and relax, he can be anywhere, but I still think he is a better chaser and he will certainly be able to do that at Riccarton as long as he can handle the crowd and the atmosphere on the day.”
Rooke echoed Gerard’s thoughts, and he is looking forward to partnering Affirmative Action once again in next week’s big dance.
“I think he is a very nice horse and I am excited to see what happens,” he said.
“Ideally down at Riccarton, with more runners, I can take more of a sit, and I think he will be even better. He loves to chase, he just stops when I hit the front. There was a lot against him today, but he is a very nice horse.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
