Pre-post favourite Affirmative Action will have to overcome a wide gate and a lighter than intended preparation in his shared bid to defend the stable’s title in Saturday’s Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m).
Trainer Pam Gerard prepared Savaglee to romp home in last season’s Al Basti Equiworld Dubai-sponsored Classic at Riccarton and will be double-handed in her attempt to go back-to-back in the age group feature.
While Affirmative Action boasts the higher profile, barnmate Romanoff has also come into serious contention following two sound lead-up efforts.
Their southern flight was delayed a day and they landed in Christchurch on Thursday morning without incident and in tip-top order.
“They both travelled well, so we’re happy they got there safe and sound and they’re both in good form,” Gerard said.
Affirmative Action will jump from barrier 15 under regular rider George Rooke and won the Listed Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) from the outside barrier two runs back before further success at Ellerslie.
“He doesn’t know much different with a wide gate, so if we don’t tell him he won’t know,” Gerard said.
“I’m still learning a bit about him really, it’s hard to get a line on him as he’s such a laid-back fellow that you might think hasn’t got any more in the tank, but George (Rooke, jockey) assures me there’s plenty left.
“He just jumps and puts himself there in his races and completely buttons off.”
The son of Yes Yes Yes has won two of his three starts, and in an ideal world, would have had one more outing ahead of Riccarton.
“I would have liked to have got another run under his belt going into the Guineas, but it just wasn’t available to us so we’ve done the best we can and hopefully it’s good enough,” Gerard said.
Belardo gelding Romanoff was a juvenile winner last term and opened his three-year-old campaign when third on a heavy track at Rotorua.
He then showed his versatility with another placing behind race rivals Swiss Prince and To Cap It All on top of the ground in the Gr.2 James & Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m).
“He’s very well and he’ll get the mile, no trouble at all,” Gerard said.
“His run at Tauranga was amazing, he was the only horse to make up ground from behind all day, and he wasn’t far off them.
“He is quite under-estimated, and he’s done nothing wrong at all this time in.
“He’s very light and nimble and is walking on air at the moment, he’s absolutely flying.”