The Canterbury Jockey Club have announced Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) winner Romanoff (NZ) (Belardo) as their representative for the $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) at Ellerslie on Champions Day, 7 March 2026.

When purchasing their slot for the Southern Hemisphere’s richest three-year-old race, the Club decided to use it as an added incentive to compete in their two elite-level three-year-old features over New Zealand Cup Week - the $600,000 Group 1 Barneswood Farm 53rd New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) and $700,000 Group 1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai 53rd New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) - with the victor of the former having the first seat at the negotiating table.

As the winner of last month’s 2000 Guineas, the connections of the Pam Gerard-trained Romanoff were duly given first right of refusal, and a deal was brokered this week. 

“The CJC is delighted that the strategic direction the Club took when buying a slot has continued this year, with the winner of the New Zealand 2000 Guineas, Romanoff, representing the Club,” CJC Chair Diane Logie said.

“On behalf of the CJC, I wish to thank the owners for reaching an agreement with us.”

Romanoff is raced by a 13-strong ownership group and carries the Fletcher tartan silks of part-owner Hugh Fletcher, and he is delighted his gelding will be a part of the spectacle of New Zealand’s biggest day of racing.

“The owners of Romanoff are thrilled to have secured the CJC slot for the second running of The NZB Kiwi,” Fletcher said. 

Bred by Marie Leicester, Romanoff was purchased by Ballymore Stables, in conjunction with bloodstock agents Paul Moroney and Catheryne Bruggeman, from New Zealand Bloodstock’s Karaka 2024 Book 2 Sale. He was secured out of Haunui Farm’s draft for $75,000.

Being Karaka Millions eligible, next month’s $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) looms as an obvious target, with Romanoff likely to resume at RACE Trentham next month.

“On returning from Christchurch, Romanoff had a brief break at Pam Gerard's spelling farm and is now back in work, looking bright and stronger than ever,” Fletcher said.

“Current plans are to run in the Levin Classic (Gr.2, 1400m) at Trentham and the Karaka Millions 3YO as lead-ins to The NZB Kiwi.”

The 2000 Guineas is becoming a memorable race for Gerard, having quinellaed this year’s running with Romanoff and Affirmative Action (AUS) (Yes Yes Yes), and winning last year’s edition with Savaglee (NZ) (Savabeel).

While Savaglee chased other targets, Gerard is excited to have her first runner in next year’s NZB Kiwi, with victory in the Guineas also making Romanoff eligible for $1 million in bonuses up for grabs in The NZB Kiwi.

“It was a brilliant win in the 2000 Guineas at Riccarton and picking up the opportunity to run for an extra $1 million bonus,” Gerard said. 

It is also fitting for Gerard to partner with the Canterbury Jockey Club, with the Matamata-based horsewoman hailing from the region.

“Being a Cantabrian myself makes the opportunity of the slot even more special,” she said.

“We are really looking forward to representing the CJC and the wider Canterbury area.” 

View more about the 2026 NZB Kiwi here. - LOVERACING.NZ News Desk