Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)
Van Damme (3 g Swiss Ace – Vedex, by Exceed and Excel) provided trainer Pam Gerard with her 300th win on 8 April at Avondale, when winning the $17,000 Westbrook Wines 2YO & 3YO 1200 metres.
Having trained in her own right in Methven and Ashburton, Gerard began as assistant trainer in 2011 for Te Akau in Matamata, joined Mike Moroney in 2016, and took over the Ballymore Stables after Moroney passed away in 2025.
Most recently she trained 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Romanoff (Rubick), Group One winner and NZ Champion Three-Year-Old Savaglee (Savabeel), Group One winners Roch ‘N’ Horse (Per Incanto) and On The Rocks (Alamosa), multiple Group One placed (sire) Savile Row (Makfi), Harlech (Darci Brahma), and Sound (Lando), along with Group One placed performers Nerve Not Verve (Shocking), and Group Two winners Pinmedown (Pins) and Tokorangi (Redwood).
Breaking through at his sixth start, Van Damme had finished fifth in the Maiden 1200 metres on 22 March at Matamata, and given a good ride by Rihaan Goyaram, he came from fourth with a well-timed run to prevail in a close finish.
A dual trial winner on heavy ground, Van Damme ran 1200 metres in 1:13.6, last 600m in 36.2 (approx.), and paid $8.20 & $3.50 on the NZ TAB tote.
“Van Damme won his first trial here as a two-year-old with give in the ground, but it has taken a bit of time for him to figure things out and relax in his races,” Gerard said.
“Probably no fault of his own, but he was quite nervous after the breaking in process and went forward at speed in an early race and it’s just taken a bit since then to get his head in the right place.
“Rihaan (Goyaram) followed instructions, getting him to settle where he was happy and he’s getting better at understanding what’s required as a racehorse.
“He’s still racing with earmuffs on, to keep him calmer, and I think once we remove those, he should be able to find a few more lengths.
“He’s another capable horse to have for Gerry Harvey and Russell Warwick at Westbury Stud. We’re grateful for their support and hopefully he can get a few more wins for them, or possibly might make a nice horse to trade.
“He’s won over 1200 metres, but I think he’s going to find it easier once we step him up in distance, too.”
Regarding the 300 wins, Gerard quipped: “That’s the hardest 300 I’ve ever had to do. I’m a long way from 1000, then, but happy to have passed another milestone and we’ll keep trying to train winners.”
Van Damme was strapped by Bhom Singh.