3 minute read
Miami Bound easily won the 2019 VRC Oaks at Flemington on Thursday despite sitting three wide the trip.
She becomes the 37th filly to win the Wakeful Stakes/VRC Oaks double and gave Damien Oliver the Derby/Oaks double and Danny O'Brien the Melbourne Cup/VRC Oaks double.
Winning Trainer: Danny O'Brien
On two big days: "It has been just fantastic. We raced a filly Placement who ran third in this race a few years ago and we had a real dream of winning it together."
"We bought this filly 18 months/nearly two years ago in New Zealand. It's very special to share with a really good mate who has been with me through the good times and the bad."
On winning with Damien Oliver who gave him his first G1 winner (Porto Roca): "He has a lot of faith in this filly. We have been building her all Spring to get to 2500m and we knew when we took the wrapping off her at the 2500m, she was going to really let go."
"We were on the back of that horse even though three wide she was always going to have plenty to offer when we got into the straight."
Winning Jockey: Damien Oliver
Concerns with Miami Bound's behaviour pre race: "It was a great effort. It wasn't one of my prettiest rides but she actually threw me a bit before the race. She stopped and didn't want to go into the mounting yard, I thought she wanted to go to the toilet but that wasn't the case. Then in her prelim I got around to the 600m and she stopped again and didn't want to come back to the gates. I wasn't sure what was going on with her."
In run: "I was a bit indecisive from the gate and got caught a little bit deep. Fortunately I was able to get a bit of cover off the Kavanagh horse (Vegas Jewel) which took us into the straight as far as she could. She was left there (in front) a fair way out but I think she was just the best stayer in the race and she was too good."
"She is a strong filly and did the job well."
Pre race thoughts on Miami Bound running out 2500m: "I wasn't really sure leading up to last start (Wakeful) but last start she was really strong and it gave me a lot more confidence coming into this race. She is certainly just hitting form at the right time and these fillies when they do, they are hard to beat."
Long association with Danny O'Brien: "He learnt from the master (Bart Cummings). Danny is very meticulous in his planning and has proven that this week. When he sets a horse for a target he gets them there in the right shape. He has done that again today. It is great to be part of a good team with someone you've known for so long."
"Even the horse we rode earlier, he might have gotten beaten today, it was only his second career start - Russian Camelot, but I think he has got a nice future too."
Beaten Jockeys:
Ben Melham (Moonlight Maid): "She's an aggressive filly and we had to give a bit of a start away to get her to switch off. I thought she was really gallant to the line."
Ryan Moore (Gamay): "She ran ok. Probably didn't quite see out the trip."
Jordan Childs (Vegas Jewel): "We took a punt and tried to go forward. Just couldn't get in. She's done a good job this prep and should be back better."
Tim Clark (Foxborough): "Got into a lovely spot. She just probably didn't quite relax well enough to give herself a chance to run out the trip."
Jamie Kah (Silent Sovereign): "Mentally she's just not there yet. She'll be a better horse next prep."
Dwayne Dunn (Presently): "She ran really well for a big (long) shot. She toughed it out nicely."
James McDonald (Beauty Bolt): "She ran out of her skin. She got a lovely run. Very honest, tries hard. Lovely filly."
Nash Rawiller (Amazing Peace): "She had a nice run and just feels a little but weak. She might be better in the autumn; time to mature and a little real right now wont hurt her either."
Darryl McLellan (Never Listen): "Terrific run. I was rapt with the run,. First time this way, up in class, couldn't have asked for any more."
Jye McNeil (Song Brocade): "Had a lovely run throughout, just didn't stay."
Michael Walker (Ocean Miss): "Nice filly just probably a prep too early."
Tommy Berry (Stick 'Em Up): "He didn't get around the track very well. He was on the wrong leg most of the way. Once she figured it out halfway up the straight, she stayed on well."
Michelle Payne (Victory Approach): "Just when the momentum came into the race and I asked her to go the saddle slipped on her. She wasn't too happy about that so I had to ease her down."