The autumn dominance of Contributer hasn’t scared off rival trainer Roger James who refuses to concede Saturday’s Ranvet Stakes to the Godolphin star.
James will saddle up last year’s winner Silent Achiever who is trying to become the first filly or mare to win the Ranvet twice since Wenona Girl in 1961 and 1964.
Contributer
“I think I read about this time last year where the Ranvet field was the best Ranvet field they’d seen in 10 years and we managed to win it,” James said.
“They’re all beatable.”
Silent Achiever claimed two high-profile scalps to score last year when she beat Carlton House and It’s A Dundeel.
Saturday’s seven-horse field is just as select and includes Japan’s Tosen Stardom, Hong Kong galloper Dominant and Caulfield Cup placegetter Lucia Valentina.
Contributer is a firm $2.25 Ranvet favourite but in a concession to the quality of his opposition, four of the remaining six runners are at single-figure odds including Silent Achiever.
Having finished behind Contributer in two lead-up runs over unsuitable journeys she is expected to relish a distance rise to 2000m and the bigger Rosehill track.
Her Ranvet performance will determine whether James considers a seven-day back-up into The BMW or waits three weeks for the richest race of The Championships, the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
The international presence in Saturday’s race will also give James an ideal barometer for his long-term ambition to run Silent Achiever in France’s Prix de l’arc de Triomphe in October.
“Obviously it’s the best way to judge them, what they’re meeting and what they’re beating,” James said.
“But this is first and foremost. We’ve got to strike good form here to warrant it (an overseas trip).”
HISTORY OF RANVET STAKES
*First run in 1903 when won by Great Scott
* Winners include Poseidon (1908), Nightmarch (1930), Peter Pan (1935), Lough Neagh (1936-37), Bernborough (1946), Tulloch (1958), Wenona Girl (1961 and 1964), Gunsynd (1971, 1973), Hyperno (1981), Beau Zam (1988-89), Better Loosen Up (1990), Super Impose (1991), Tie The Knot (2000-01)
* The late TJ Smith holds the training record of 12 Ranvet Stakes winners.
