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Sitting off a good pace, the kiwi Quick Thinker rounded up the leaders to take the 2019 Ming Dynasty Quality at Rosehill on Saturday.
Even though one of his co-trainers Andrew Forsman was unsure about the going, Quick Thinker simply outstayed his rivals.
WINNING TRAINER: ANDREW FORSMAN (BAKER/FORSMAN)
Worried about conditions: "We were, we had no idea how he'd handle that going into today. He had two trials back home on very similar conditions and he hadn't really gone that well. We thought he might have been a colt being a bit fussy. We weren't sure what sort of horse would turn up today. We thought he was good enough and that's why we came here today'
Beyond today: "He looked a little bit in trouble coming to the top of the straight and he had a lot to do but won with authority in the end and I think that's a sign of a good horse."
The Bowman engagement: "Hughie won this race for us on Lion Tamer a few years ago and he went on to do good things so hopefully this guy can do the same."
WINNING OWNER: TERRY HENDERSON
Thoughts on Quick Thinker: "He might be a special horse. He really has impressed all of the way through and I know Murray and Andrew have had a great opinion of him. He hasn't put a foot wrong so far.
Pre-race expectations: "I wouldn't have thought today would have been his day because of a wet track over 1400m, I thought he would have needed the 2000m but to see him hit the line like that on a track like that, it is very exciting."
"This horse hadn't trialled well. He certainly goes far better right handed than left handed. His trials were very plain. I saw the first one with Murray in New Zealand and it was a little plain, the second one was as well, he hung. This direction, far better and he's a serious horse I think."
Upcoming plans: "We've set him for the Spring Champion Stakes first hoping that he would obviously get there. On what he has done today, I hope he can stay."
WINNING JOCKEY: HUGH BOWMAN
Track conditions: "He really handled it well. It's a tricky track this afternoon - it's obviously had a fair bit of rain in the last 48 hours. On the back of winter there isn't a lot of consolidation in the ground. Horses have to be comfortable in themselves to get through it well.
The performance: "What I admire most about this horse is his tenacity to win. I can see him being every bit as effective on top of the ground. The stable weren't confident that he'd handle it. The fact that he can do that first-up. He was prepared to run well but I don't think they were that confident - they certainly didn't show that to me before the race. It was a lovely surprise to have him win like that."
Prospect of him over more ground: "It's very exciting, it gives you so many options. As you get over a bit further the opposition tends to fall away to a degree, especially these younger horses because our breeding is centred around sprint racing for whatever reason. It certainly opens up options. The way he went today, I wouldn't be thinking too far ahead - just stepping him up over the longer races to see how he progresses."
BEATEN JOCKEYS:
Jason Collett (Rhaegar): "Wheels were spinning in those conditions but he found the line."
Tim Clark (Academy): "Just overdid it with the blinkers. Just didn't settle at all."
Kerrin McEvoy (Subedar): "Just really struggled in the ground. He tried hard but didn't enjoy it."
Kathy O'Hara (Reformist): "He was good. He is still just very green, particularly in that going, but he will get better."
Brenton Avdulla (Savoury): "He raced okay. He is just still very raw."
Jay Ford (Mystery Trick): "Struggled in those conditions."
Glen Boss (Satin Rain): "No. Not today."
Andrew Adkins (Aspect Ratio): "Huge run by her. Little bit sticky early but we ended up in the spot we wanted to be. She travelled enormous. To me she didn't feel like she handled the track at all but she kept surging when I asked her. To the line it was a huge run and she will come on for that. Hopefully I can stick with her she might be an Oaks filly in the future."