3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes after Secret Blaze claims the Group 3 JRA Cup at Moonee Valley on Friday.
Race Result:
1st: Secret Blaze (Craig Williams/Tony & Calvin McEvoy) - $5.50
2nd: Homesman (Jye McNeil/Anthony & Sam Freedman) - $4
3rd: Rostropovich (Craig Newitt/Ben & JD Hayes) - $31
Winning Time: 2:04.31 Last 600m: N/A
Margins: ¾L x ½L
Winning Trainer: Tony & Calvin McEvoy (Tony McEvoy speaking)
"It was a pretty good watch. Craig thought he'd get the run of the race from barrier three, and he did that.
"I'm just so pleased for the horse. He's come back from a setback, a tendon. He's such a great gentleman to deal with and he's been a great patient all the way through. It was lovely to see him get back at this level."
Missed last run: "We decided to train him on strong. He went for a couple of gallops away from home. He's a good athlete and it was an easy task to keep him up to the mark."
Caulfield Cup or other races: "There's a stack of races for this fellow. We can now got to the Coongy or the Herbert Power. Or maybe even that big dance (Caulfield Cup). It is lovely to get him back in form and we'll regroup and decide in a few days."
"He's sound as a bell. It's fabulous."
Stable rebuild and Ballarat: "It takes time. Our horses have been running well in the smaller races and with the rebuilding it is going to be a bit of a hard spring for us, this one, but that was very exciting for us tonight to win a race of this standard."
Winning Jockey: Craig Williams
"It was quite interesting along the side, the leading horse was off the fence and I was really tempted to go in there and then Linda corrects her horse and then we just had to come out and wait.
"What I loved about this horse was the preparation that Tony McEvoy and his team and obviously the people prior to that when he was off with an injury, to get him back and be patient with the horse and I was very fortunate that my manager got me on the horse and they gave me the opportunity at the right time. He was really impressive tonight around The Valley.
"Whatever they do with the horse they're doing a fantastic job. He's got a really good profile throughout his career, even though he's been lightly raced and he's a gentleman to ride too.
"The barrier draw helped, the light weight, the preparation, the confidence from Tony McEvoy and his stable and then I had the horse to really pick up and he quickened around the bend and beat a nice handsome field tonight."