Photo: Ajay Berry (Race Images)
In a racing ‘wow’ moment, Ballymore Racing trainer Pam Gerard saddled both first and second in the $700,000 Al Basti Equiworld New Zealand 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) on Saturday at Riccarton.
Just a year ago, Gerard won the race with Savaglee (Savabeel), who followed up with victory in the Levin Classic (Gr. 2, 1600m) and second in the Australian Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m), before being crowned Champion Three-Year-Old.
To script a repeat performance in the prestigious event is one thing, but to quinella the race with winner Romanoff (3 g Belardo – Tsarina Belle, by Stravinsky) and Affirmative Action (Yes Yes Yes), who were separated by a nose, was unbelievable.
On a day that started out fine before suffering a hail storm, downgraded track conditions to Heavy9 made form difficult to assess, but the Ballymore pair were up to the task and provided a stirring finish.
Camped on the leaders throughout, Romanoff was joined by Affirmative Action at the 200m and the pair set down to fight out a head-bobbing finish. At the line, they appeared inseparable and it took Judge Mark Gallagher to confirm the nose margin.
Romanoff was ridden by Brazilian jockey Bruno Queiroz, who said: “I had a dream to win the Group One because I had 16 Group Ones in Brazil and a Group Two and Group Three in Singapore, and today I’m very blessed and thank God for the opportunity.
“This horse (Romanoff), he liked the fight and over the last 100 metres he was fighting with the other horse (Affirmative Action), and he won.”
On Heavy9 footing, Romanoff ran 1600 metres in 1:40.3, last 600m in 37.1, and paid $11.70 & $3.80 on the NZ TAB tote. Affirmative Action returned $2.50 for second and the quinella paid $34.30.
“I don’t know if I can handle it, just the whole thing,” said Gerard, referring to the thrill.
“They’re both two really nice horses and I think the class has shown. There is no question, I was really worried about the track and I still don’t think they liked it one bit, but on a wet day Romanoff was probably always going to be the better. I actually thought the other horse had got up and won.
“The staff at home are just amazing. So much goes into to getting here, the organisation, and it’s really hard on a day when you get a hail storm, and all that work has gone into it – it’s just like, bloody hell.
“We’ve managed to get away with it, while it’s not ideal, but fantastic owners and we’ve got guys from Ozzie here that have never experienced anything like it and may never again. They’ll be coming back.”
From the Belle family of dual Horse of the Year Melody Belle (Commands), and carrying the Fletcher tartan colours, Romanoff was selected by Paul Moroney Bloodstock and purchased for $75,000 at the 2024 Book 2 Sale at Karaka.
He is owned by Wally Campbell, Adrian Mathieson, Natalie Walker, Dame Sian Elias, Edwin Fletcher, Hugh Fletcher, Its A Belle Syndicate, Brent Taylor, Vince Gregan, John & Judy Angell, Robin & Rob Hale.
Accepting on behalf of the owners, Hugh Fletcher said: “It’s a great thrill to have won this race. We’ve been racing horses for 50 years and this is our first Group One winner, so it’s a wonderful occasion.”
Bred by Marie Leicester, who has continued breeding the Belle family started by her parents James & Annie Sarten in 1939, Romanoff was prepared for sale and went through the draft of Haunui Farm.
After winning his Maiden race, a year ago in November 2024, Gerard said of Romanoff: “He was very strong, athletic, and a beautifully balanced colt when Mike (Moroney) bought him at the sales.
“It’s a super, super, family, he had a great walk on him, was a real two-year-old type, and bought for a pretty realistic price.
“Paul (Moroney) buys a type, that’s what they’re looking for and they found what they wanted in him.”
Romanoff is by Irish stallion Belardo (Lope de Vega), who stood at Haunui Farm when shuttling to New Zealand, where he won the title of Leading First Season Sire, and now sired 11 individual Group One winners.
Romanoff is out of Tsarina Belle, who finished third in the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m), having finished second in the Champagne Stakes as a two-year-old.
Tsarina Belle has left five individual winners of 17 races, including Wanganui Cup (Listed, 2040m) La Flora Belle (Iffraaj).
Both Tsarina Belle and half-sister Meleka Belle (Iffraaj) are offspring of Empress Belle (Sir Tristram), with Meleka Belle producing dual Horse of the Year and New Zealand Hall of Fame inductee Melody Belle (Iffraaj), who retired the winner of 14 Group One races (19 from 41 in total) and $4.3 million prize money, before selling as a broodmare for $2.6m.
When recording her 14th Group One victory, Melody Belle exceeded the previous record of 13 set by Sunline (Desert Sun).
Romanoff was strapped by Leelu Singh, who was commended by Ballymore Racing manager Michael Thompson as having done a fantastic job with the horse.
Paul Moroney and his partner, Catherine Bruggeman, were also responsible for selecting Affirmative Action, paying $115,000 at the Karaka 2024 Book 2 Sale, from the draft of Wentwood Grange. He is owned by Kariba Racing Pty Ltd, 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.