By MIKE DILLON
Ask Roger James about Derby pressure and he doesn't know.
At least he says he doesn't.
Like, does having the best modern-day record in winning the Derby put more or less pressure on you going into the next one?
Does producing a big, green, angular kid like probable favourite Danamite in Tuesday's $350,000 Mercedes Derby make your Christmas pudding slide down even more smoothly; or does nervous bile clot the cream?
"I'm not sure the record book puts more or less pressure on me," he said as he put the finishing touches to Danamite's preparation.
"I probably put more pressure on myself and the bigger the race the more pressure I tend to apply."
James will make the Derby a race almost for himself if Danamite wins.
Roysyn (1995), Zonda (1997) and Hades last year have come from his Kingsclere Stables and he partnered Jim Gibbs to produce Tidal Light to win in 1986.
"The thing I have noticed most is that the media attention this year has been much more intense."
A television camera crew shot Danamite's final workout at Matamata on Thursday morning and photographers have rarely been far away from the rising star.
"Overall I spent three hours with the media yesterday," said James.
In terms of expectations, James believes he has got away with a bit more than when Zonda lined up three years ago.
"Zonda was unbeaten and there were huge expectations about him winning the Derby.
"That was a fair bit of pressure, but I haven't quite got the same thing with Danamite."
Danamite has the look of a horse who might be better with another six months maturity, but don't be fooled.
James believes his horse is fit, hard and ready for a gruelling 2400m after his Avondale Guineas win two weeks ago.
"Danamite is relatively easy to prepare.
"He might look immature, but he is the biggest feeder of all the horses in my stable.
"That is a really great asset going into a race like this, and he doesn't need a lot of work."
For a frame that might not be ready for a 20km SAS forced march, that last factor is hugely important.
"When Roysyn won the Derby I really worked him hard because he was that sort of horse.
"This bloke would not have had half that amount of work, simply because he doesn't need it.
"He's so naturally athletic, a big angular staying type, perhaps going back to the more traditional Derby horse of a few decades ago."
The barrier draw in a 2400m derby can be as important as a group one 1200m sprint, but James is not focussing on Danamite's shocking No15 slot.
"You have just got to make the best of what you are given."
For a relatively young trainer, winning five derbies at Ellerslie is a big thing.
But James says he won't be as chuffed as his owners, Ron Webby and his two sons, if Danamite wins.
"Let me tell you they're getting very excited."
Danamite's stable name is Spider, not because of his daddy longlegs body, but because of the owners' surname Web (by).
"That's what you get when you employ stable staff," said James, poking some fun at a nearby staff member.
And now that we have ensured James has to double the stable shout if Danamite wins, he deserves the last word.
"I am really going to learn something from this horse with this race - like how good he might be and how far he will go.
"Because this is the first time he will have been put under pressure."
Ah, so Danamite will be under pressure on Tuesday even if his trainer isn't.
Blurb1: Boxing Day is Derby Day at Ellerslie, heralding the start of the Auckland Racing Club's Summer Carnival
Caption1: DERBY COUNTDOWN: Vinny Colgan and Danamite combined to win the Avondale Cup and worked out at Matamata on Thursday, preparing for the Derby. HERALD PICTURE / DEREK FLYNN
Head1: %Pressure not
telling on
trainer yet
Byline1: By MIKE DILLON
Body1: Ask Roger James about Derby pressure and he doesn't know.
At least he says he doesn't.
Like, does having the best modern-day record in winning the Derby put more or less pressure on you going into the next one?
Does producing a big, green, angular kid like probable favourite Danamite in Tuesday's $350,000 Mercedes Derby make your Christmas pudding slide down even more smoothly; or does nervous bile clot the cream?
"I'm not sure the record book puts more or less pressure on me," he said as he put the finishing touches to Danamite's preparation.
"I probably put more pressure on myself and the bigger the race the more pressure I tend to apply."
James will make the Derby a race almost for himself if Danamite wins.
Roysyn (1995), Zonda (1997) and Hades last year have come from his Kingsclere Stables and he partnered Jim Gibbs to produce Tidal Light to win in 1986.
"The thing I have noticed most is that the media attention this year has been much more intense."
A television camera crew shot Danamite's final workout at Matamata on Thursday morning and photographers have rarely been far away from the rising star.
"Overall I spent three hours with the media yesterday," said James.
In terms of expectations, James believes he has got away with a bit more than when Zonda lined up three years ago.
"Zonda was unbeaten and there were huge expectations about him winning the Derby.
"That was a fair bit of pressure, but I haven't quite got the same thing with Danamite."
Danamite has the look of a horse who might be better with another six months maturity, but don't be fooled.
James believes his horse is fit, hard and ready for a gruelling 2400m after his Avondale Guineas win two weeks ago.
"Danamite is relatively easy to prepare.
"He might look immature, but he is the biggest feeder of all the horses in my stable.
"That is a really great asset going into a race like this, and he doesn't need a lot of work."
For a frame that might not be ready for a 20km SAS forced march, that last factor is hugely important.
"When Roysyn won the Derby I really worked him hard because he was that sort of horse.
"This bloke would not have had half that amount of work, simply because he doesn't need it.
"He's so naturally athletic, a big angular staying type, perhaps going back to the more traditional Derby horse of a few decades ago."
The barrier draw in a 2400m derby can be as important as a group one 1200m sprint, but James is not focussing on Danamite's shocking No15 slot.
"You have just got to make the best of what you are given."
For a relatively young trainer, winning five derbies at Ellerslie is a big thing.
But James says he won't be as chuffed as his owners, Ron Webby and his two sons, if Danamite wins.
"Let me tell you they're getting very excited."
Danamite's stable name is Spider, not because of his daddy longlegs body, but because of the owners' surname Web (by).
"That's what you get when you employ stable staff," said James, poking some fun at a nearby staff member.
And now that we have ensured James has to double the stable shout if Danamite wins, he deserves the last word.
"I am really going to learn something from this horse with this race - like how good he might be and how far he will go.
"Because this is the first time he will have been put under pressure."
Ah, so Danamite will be under pressure on Tuesday even if his trainer isn't.
Racing: Pressure not telling on trainer yet
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