3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes after Long Arm takes out the #LOVETHEHORSE Benchmark 84 3YO+ Trophy at Flemington on Saturday.
Race Result:
1st: Long Arm (Peter Gelagotis/Jordan Childs) - $8.50
2nd: Think 'N' Fly (T Dabernig & B Hayes/Damien Oliver) - $10
3rd: Skiddaw (D O'Brien/Damian Lane) - $4F
Winning Time: 1:35.10 Last 600m: 36.19
Margins: ¾L x ¾L
Winning Trainer: Peter Gelagotis (rep by Manny Gelagotis)
"I must thank Phil Burns of Gaelic Bloodstock, he's our man on deck overseas and we dabbled years ago with Serenade The Stars - a lower grade import - and he assured me that this horse was the real deal. He got on top of it before it got into the open market and a huge credit to my owners for supporting me on this acquisition. A lot of new owners and a lot of genuine home-based owners in my stable.
"It was meant to be a warm up today but if that was a warm up then there's a lot to be excited about.
"He's been pretty bombproof since day one. He spent a month at Caulfield from when he arrived on 1 September. He ran unluckily fourth in a listed race at his third start at weight-for-age and Pondus ran second. Then when Pondus ran so well here it gave us a little more confidence. He's a strange horse to read, a bit difficult to read. I suppose under pressure you find out what they're all about.
"To come to Flemington first-up in Australia on debut over a mile, for a horse that profiles like this it is unbelievable.
What's next: "I think he'll have two or three runs initially here. I said to the guys that he comes here as a 72 rater and he's been racing at 100-plus level back home. If the form is true then he should go right through his grades.
"We're dreaming. We bought him as a cups horse but we're not sure which cup that's going to be. But going on today I think we should be excited about what the future holds."
Winning Jockey: Jordan Childs
"Manny is doing a great job, Dayne Barry and James Winks who is helping me with my riding. It's a team effort, putting in the hard yards and getting the results.
Hadn't ridden work on Long Arm: "I only picked up the ride yesterday after Craig WIlliams couldn't because of the COVID (situation). He gave me a nice feel, this horse. The speed was very genuine (and) we were able to sit back off it, but he was in for the fight in the finish.
"I was probably lucky that they went along genuinely so I was able to build into the race of my own accord when I wanted to. He just kept getting stronger and stronger. Think 'N' Fly came up and challenged us but I always felt like I had more horse there. He's quite promising, I reckon, and exciting."