3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes following the Group 1 Tancred Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday won by Sir Dragonet.
Race Result:
1st: Sir Dragonet (IRE) (Glen Boss/Ciaron Maher & David Eustace) - $5.50F
2nd: She's Ideel (Jason Collett/Bjorn Baker) - $13
3rd: Miami Bound (NZ) (Rachel King/Danny O'Brien) - $51
Winning Time: 2:28.78 Last 600m: 35.65
Margins: 2 ¼L x Long Neck
Winning Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace (Ciaron Maher comments)
On bouncing back to form: "Good to get him back to his best form. He put the writing on the wall last week (4th in the Ranvet) I supposed the back-up was the only query. He was super, Glen (Boss) obviously rode him very confidently and he had him relaxed. You could see in the yard today, he relaxed well in the yard. He was a little bit fresh last week and he was pretty right. I'd just like to thank the team up here, they've done a great job with him, Jack Bruce and everyone. He's taken a fair bit of work, he's been at our beach facility, he's been everywhere really so great to get him back into form and he'll probably head on now into the Queen Elizabeth."
On being confident today: "The best part of his race last week was his last furlong. He needs those really solidly run races over 2000m for him to get into it. It was bit like the Cox Plate, those really solidly run races, his last furlong is his best. They probably didn't go quite quick enough for him last week and the other horses were a little bit zippy. And he was also chasing Verry Elleegant. But he was great, and again I'd just like to thank the owners, they're a great group. Aussie Khier, John O'neil they put so much into racing, time, money and enthusiasm and to win the big ones it's great for them and hopefully he can continue on to the Queen Elizabeth."
On if he can beat Verry Elleegant and Addeybb in the Queen Elizabeth: "It'll be a good race let's put it that way. I'm not saying no. On his day, depending on conditions, the more work you give this horse the better he is. The more racing, the deeper into a prep the better he is. His manners were really good today, spot on, so he should be pretty right in a couple of weeks time."
Winning Jockey: Glen Boss
On the win: "I just want to thank both Ciaron and David, we just trusted this process. I went and galloped him on Thursday and I said to Ciaron I look for any way to scratch this horse but I can't find a way."
"I believe that he came on from his last run, these horses are never out of work when they are in Europe, so they don't get the chance to get fresh and he got fresh here and got a little bit above himself."
On the horse: "Obviously his form/ratings plummeted because he wasn't winning, but we just trusted the process and completely blocked out all that noise and just concentrated on the job at hand."
"He's got here today on a good track over a mile and a half and he's given them an absolute spanking."
"He never went to the line the other day like he did today, I know it's a mile-and-a-half, but he just whacked away the other day like a tired horse.
Going forward: "I said to Ciaron he's not fit this horse, so that's the run that brought him on."
On his riding engagements: "There's so many people out there that doubt I can't do this still, I've been struggling to get rides off anybody at a decent level."
"They obviously think I can't do it anymore, but I just keep doing it, I keep turning up and doing the job. If you give me a chance in a good race, that's the result."
Beaten Jockeys:
Damien Oliver (Mirage Dancer): "Had a good run. Just got a bit buffeted at the 600m and didn't appreciate it."
Hugh Bowman (The Chosen One): "No luck from the wide draw. I thought the performance was OK."
Mark Zahra (Southern France): "Ran well. Good effort."
Craig Williams (Sound): "He was a little bit keen and did a little bit too much work to get his position. In that quality field it really took a toll."
Robbie Dolan (Spirit Ridge): "He ran well. He's ready for the Sydney Cup."
Tim Clark (Chapada): "A bit disappointing over the final furlong and a half."
Luke Nolen (Nickajack Cave): "He went terrific. He's a two mile handicapper so very happy with what he did today."
Kerrin McEvoy (Angel Of Truth): "He was presented. Just over-run the last 100m today."
Brenton Avdulla (Shraaoh): "Pulled a plate as soon as we left the gates. I could feel him do it. From then on he never travelled."
James McDonald (Melody Belle): "Ran so well. Had a horror draw so had to go back too far."
Jason Collett (She's Ideel): "Great effort. A great effort at WFA."
Tom Marquand (Toffee Tongue): "Ran absolutely super. Travelled nicely in the run. We had to take the brave run though. She is as straight forward as they come, knuckled down well. Definitely has 2400m in her range."
Rachel King (Miami Bound): "Huge run. Hopefully she is back in some form."