Affirmative Action springs massive upset at Ellerslie
Trainer Pam Gerard had been confident of a good showing from her lightly raced three-year-old Affirmative Action and that’s exactly what she got when the showy gelding upset the applecart at a Fixed Odds quote of $91 when taking out the Listed Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) at Ellerslie.
The son of the 2019 Everest (1200m) winner Yes Yes Yes had finished third behind To Bravery Born over 1100m at Taupo last month and improved markedly for Saturday’s first stakes race on the Ellerslie card as punters ignored his claims completely.
Rider George Rooke took the bull by the horns and went forward at the start to sit outside leader Lady Iris, where his mount relaxed beautifully.
Travelling like a winner at the 300m Affirmative Action took control and despite being pushed all the way by He Who Dares, held on to win by a long neck, running a respectable 1.12.54 for the journey on the Soft 6 surface that was slowed by rain throughout the day.
Gerard was all smile as she accepted congratulations from a large group of owners.
“We’ve been waiting for him for a long time as we had tried to get him going as a two-year-old,” Gerard said
“You can see how big and lanky he is and I think if we had of pushed on it could have gone the wrong way for him.
“We have been patient, given him a couple of trials and he has not put a foot wrong.
“It’s super exciting today as we’ve had a tough time lately and this is a reward for all the staff at home who have been putting in the hard yards.
“He is a good horse, we thought he was and it gives us confidence with a win like this.”
Rooke admitted the horse had done plenty wrong but just had too much ability for his rivals.
“There wasn’t as much pace as I thought there was on paper and ideally I would have liked to be behind one (with cover),” he said
“He has done everything wrong, came around the bend on the wrong leg, but I made sure he was balanced and although he waited for a bit of company he has a very big engine.
“I think he will get a mile no problem and that gives you plenty of options as he is a very nice horse.”
Purchased by Ballymore Stables, Paul Moroney and Catheryne Bruggeman for $115,000 out of the Wentwood Grange draft during the Book 2 Sale at Karaka in 2024, Affirmative Action comes from an extended family that includes Fast And Sexy who was placed in Group One company as a two-year-old while dual stakes winner Contessa Vanessa also features.
