3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes after Chica Fuerte claims the Group 3 Alexandra Stakes at Moonee Valley on Friday.
Race Result:
1st: Chica Fuerte (M Zahra/A & S Freedman) - $2.10F
2nd: Love Sensation (M Dee/K Corstens) - $3.60
3rd: Wanalirri (D Stackhouse/P Ryan Jnr) - $51
Winning Time: 1:36.71 Last 600m: 36.05
Margins: ¾L x 1¼L
Winning Trainer: Anthony and Sam Freedman (Steve Adams interviewed)
"We really wanted to lead tonight. She tends to lay in a bit when when she's in behind horses so we thought that there'd be a little bit of pressure early but Mark pushed the button and once she got to the front she was going to be hard to beat.
"They went pretty hard (in the Kewney Stakes) but she did get a cosy run in behind them. She came through it well at home and we were confident that she was well enough for tonight."
What's next: "She'll probably go to Adelaide. She'll run in either the Port Adelaide Guineas or the Auroria Stakes over 1800 metres as a lead-up to the Australasian Oaks in Adelaide. She won a Group 3 in the spring over 2000 (metres) so I think that's her pet distance."
Winning Jockey: Mark Zahra
"She's a horse that lays in and always thought she'd be better when she can be in front. Even though she's run a couple of good races it just saves having to fight her from hanging in, so I spent a bit of petrol early getting there but it told in the end.
"To be honest, on the bend I thought I was going to run fifth. I wasn't finding much. It wasn't until nearly Miss Inbetween headed me she really got going again. I knew I was going to be vulnerable late, but I was surprised how hard she fought late."