Memsie Stakes Field: Long day can’t faze top New Zealand mare

The most drawn-out trans-Tasman trip in Roger James’s time as a horse trainer is not expected to stop Silent Achiever from running well in the Memsie Stakes.

Silent Achiever arrived in Melbourne from New Zealand on Wednesday night after a trip lasting almost 12 hours.

Silent Achiever, Nash Rawiller
Silent Achiever, Nash Rawiller

“I’ve been bringing horses over to Australia for 25 years and I’ve brought about 120 across over the years. And she had probably one of the longest trips that I’ve had,” James said.

Silent Achiever had to be loaded into her crate and weighed three hours before take-off in Auckland, adding additional time to the trip.

But James said Silent Achiever had settled in well to a familiar Melbourne environment.

“I wouldn’t use (the trip) as an excuse,” he said.

“She was a good, fit mare when she left home and has relaxed into her surroundings very quickly.”

Silent Achiever resumed as a luckless runner in last year’s Memsie Stakes at Caulfield when it was held at Group One level for the first time.

She finished 11th but would have been closer had Steven Arnold been able to secure a cleaner passage in the home straight.

After adding the Ranvet Stakes and The BMW to her Group One record during the Sydney autumn carnival, Silent Achiever is one of six elite-level winners in Saturday’s weight-for-age race.

James said a decision on whether Silent Achiever targets the Cox Plate or the Caulfield Cup will be made after the release of Cup weights.

Boban has taken over from Messene as Memsie favourite after being backed from $5 to $4.

Messene has eased from $4 to $4.50 while Missile Stakes winner Sweet Idea has also been a drifter.

Silent Achiever prepared for her return with a barrier trial last week after James had been reluctant to work her too much on New Zealand’s heavy tracks.

“It’s fair to say prior to the trial her work had been solid without a real sparkle to it,” James said.

“But her work on Tuesday morning had that old spark again. It was very good work.”

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