New Zealand
Gerard to launch two-pronged attack at NZB Kiwi
Pam Gerard started the week by farewelling her stable star Savaglee and she is hoping to end it on a high when she heads to Ellerslie on Saturday to line-up two runners in the second running of the $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m).
Romanoff and Affirmative Action have featured prominently among New Zealand's three-year-old ranks this season, headed by their quinella in November's Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton.
Romanoff's victory in that race secured the Canterbury Jockey Club's NZB Kiwi slot, while Affirmative Action, who was victorious in the Listed Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) and placed in the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1400m), will represent Auckland Thoroughbred Racing's slot.
Gerard is looking forward to competing in the NZB Kiwi for the first time and she said she is happy with her pair ahead of the rich feature.
"The staff have done an awesome job," she said. "It is something you dream of getting to and we did it very early on in the season. It is exciting to have two runners in a big prestige race like the NZB Kiwi.
"I am happy with them. They are as good as they can be considering they have had a long season."
The pair have drawn at opposite ends of the spectrum, with Affirmative Action set to jump from barrier three under George Rooke, while Romanoff will carry top weight of 60kg, with Ryan Elliot aboard, from barrier 10.
"It is the first time that he (Affirmative Action) has drawn a barrier the whole time," Gerard said. "It gives us a lot easier start and we can be where we want to be.
"Romanoff will pop in midfield somewhere and hopefully get the softest trip we can possibly get from that draw.
"It is a tough ask with him having 60 kilos on his back, it is a huge handicap and one that is difficult to overcome."
In a market headed by undefeated Group One-winning filly Well Written ($1.20), Affirmative Action has been installed a $27 winning chance with TAB bookmakers, while Romanoff is at $81.
Earlier in the week, Gerard farewelled Group One winner Savaglee from her barn following his retirement from racing, and she is looking forward to him commencing the next chapter of his career at stud.
Bred by Waikato Stud, Savaglee was purchased out of their Karaka draft by The Oaks Stud for $400,000 and was entrusted to the care of Gerard.
He won two races as a juvenile, including the Gr.3 Matamata Slipper (1200m), but made his mark as a three-year-old, winning five races, including the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), Gr.2 Levin Classic (1400m), Gr.2 James & Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) and Gr.2 Hawke's Bay Guineas (1400m), and placed in the Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m) and Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m).
He had two starts as a four-year-old and the decision was made to retire him from racing after his last start at Taupo due to a joint issue.
"He is a lovely horse and hopefully he can stay nearby where people can utilise him," Gerard said.
"He was a very fast three-year-old and is definitely the best horse I have had anything to do with. It was always going to be very hard stepping him up to weight-for-age and going to a four-year-old, but he has done enough.
"He was an absolutely gorgeous horse to do anything with, he had a great nature, he was competitive and he just wanted to get out there and race. He is a super intelligent horse and that is going to take him a long way in the future, and I can't wait to see the little Savaglees running around in the paddocks."
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