Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)
Under the guard and over the line, Affirmative Action (3 g Yes Yes Yes – Search Approach, by Dawn Approach) won the $110,000 Sir Colin Meads Trophy (Listed, 1200m) on Saturday at Ellerslie.
Ballymore Racing trainer Pam Gerard had always shared a positive opinion of the horse, and he ran home well for third on debut over 1100 metres on 17 August at Taupo, but punters overlooked him in betting for the stakes race and he returned $69.90 & $11.90 on the NZ TAB tote and $126 on the TAB odds surge.
A trial winner in June at Ellerslie, Affirmative Action kept up a strong gallop for close second when trialing on 5 August at Te Rapa, prior to the first-up performance at Taupo, and his ability to begin smartly was a big factor in the outcome of the race.
Although drawn the outside gate (13), Affirmative Action was able to cross without spending too much petrol for rider George Rooke and they helped control a comfortable pace outside leader Lady Iris (U S Navy Flag), before quickening to an advantage and maintaining a strong gallop to prevail over He Who Dares (Snitzel), who came off the trail with a genuine bid, and Lady Iris holding third.
“There wasn’t as much pace as what I saw on paper and ideally I’d have been behind another one,” Rooke said.
“He did everything wrong, came round the (home) bend on the wrong leg, but I made sure he was balanced in the straight. I was waiting for a bit company, but he’s got a very big engine.
“I think he’ll get a mile (1600m) no problem, and from there you’ve got plenty of options. He’s done everything behind the bridle today and he’s very nice.”
On footing downgraded after rain on the day to Soft6, Affirmative Action ran 1200 metres in 1:12.6 and last 600m in 35.2.
Purchased for $115,000 at the Karaka 2024 Book 2 Sale, from the draft of Wentwood Grange, by Ballymore Racing, Paul Moroney Bloodstock, and Catherine Bruggeman, Affirmative Action is owned by Kariba Racing Pty Ltd, whose white & red colours he carries, Ballymore Racing NZ Ltd, W N Campbell, D G Devonport, Enough Is Enough Syndicate, V J Gregan, I H & M Harrison, B Taylor & G Webb.
By Australian Champion Three-Year-Colt and $13m Everest (1200m) winner Yes Yes Yes (Rubick), Affirmative Action is the first foal out of Search Approach, in turn from Tale of the Cat (Storm Cat) mare Search The Stars, who left five individual winners of 20 races.
“We’ve been waiting for him for a long time and tried to get him going as a two-year-old, but you can see how big and lanky he is, and he had few niggling little issues,” Gerard said.
“So, we’ve been patient, gave him a couple of trials, came here for a gallop, and he has not put a foot wrong.
“I couldn’t believe the (betting) price this morning and it’s good to get out amongst the good ones, and it’s super exciting to win.
“We’ve had a bit of a tough run through the winter, but the staff have been working hard, so I’m really proud of them.”
Affirmative Action has a nomination for the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) in November at Riccarton, a race that Gerard won last year with high-class three-year-old Savaglee (Savabeel), who went on to win the Levin Classic (Gr. 2, 1600m) and finish second in the Australian Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) at Flemington.
“Obviously we had a good one last year (Savaglee), but it makes things so much easier now he’s won and everything flows a bit better." Gerard said.
"He’s a good horse, Affirmative Action, we thought he was, and unfortunately Michael (McNab) wasn’t on him today and George (Rooke) picked up the ride. But it gives you confidence when Michael said he thought he was second pick of the three-year-olds and the other one (Quantum Legend) has gone to Hong Kong. So, you get a decent line on him through that.
“Both he and Savaglee have great attitudes and ability – they’ve got to have it. They have a sound grounding as two-year-olds in the stable, so that they’re ready for these three-year-old races.
“I think we’re lucky that this horse likes Ellerslie, that makes a big difference.”
Gerard also mentioned that Savaglee is not far away from returning to the stables, ahead of his four-year-old season.
Affirmative Action was strapped by Dalpat Singh.