3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes following the Group 1 Sydney Cup at Randwick on Saturday won by Selino.
Race Result:
1st: Selino (GB) (Ron Stewart/Chris Waller) - $26
2nd: Rondinella (NZ) (Andrew Adkins/John O'Shea) - $11
3rd: Miami Bound (NZ) (Craig Williams/Danny O'Brien) - $13
Winning Time: 3:23.13 Last 600m: 36.27
Margins: 1¼L x 1¼L
Winning Trainer: Chris Waller
On the jockey Ron Stewart: "He's a beautiful young man. I remember Ronnie was an apprentice here in Sydney, I was cutting my teeth the same time as him. I was rapt to give him the opportunity, a natural lightweight rider, he works hard. He's ridden overseas in Singapore successfully and he was the right man for the job."
"The owners questioned me on who he was and things like that and I said 'well, he was an apprentice here in Sydney don't worry. He's rode successfully in Singapore, he's riding well in Queensland. He's a fit jockey and I see he's got his helicopter's license so he must have a few brains.'"
On having confidence in the horse: "We have. He was sent to me in very good form. They (the owners) might've lost a bit of confidence in me when they saw him going around and running in 2000m races, 2600m races. But we've said all along stick to the confidence of running in this race. He's an extreme distance horse and he certainly showed it today."
On how Verry Elleegant is before the Queen Elizabeth: "She's good. She's doing her own thing and I am doing my own thing here. We are out of each other's way, both of us are relaxed. It'll be business in about 20 minutes time."
Winning Jockey: Ron Stewart
On his career: "I've done a lot of riding here as a kid, then went overseas. I've never really thought about coming back here but I got a phone call from Richie Callendar, he used to help us out a bit in my apprentice days, he put my name forward to do some work for Chris Waller in Queensland. Lucky I can ride light and I picked up this ride."
On the run: "He was a tough ride but it kept unfolding nicely for us. It certainly wasn't easy, he was quite strong throughout, but I could see that in his replays, he has done that in the past, but when I pulled out down the side with about 1000m to go I still had plenty of horse there and I thought okay we have no weight on our back - catch me if you can."
Over the concluding stages: "Knowing Randwick really well I was a bit concerned that I had got going a little bit early especially sliding up that rise but I had so much horse under me with the light load. The horse was coming doggedly that last 50m, I wouldn't say I held my breath but I was yelling as loud as I could, and at the end of the day we got the job done."
Beaten Jockeys:
Hugh Bowman (The Chosen One): "A better draw would have helped but beaten on his merits."
James McDonald (Southern France): "Just whacked away. Good run."
Brenton Avdulla (Sound): "He tried hard. Had a lovely run, followed the winner, just wasn't good enough."
Glen Boss (Chapada): "Didn't run the trip."
Craig Williams (Miami Bound): "She did an amazing job. Under the circumstances from the bad barrier in a slow, stop, start affair and stayed on really well. Gallant third."
Robbie Dolan (Spirit Ridge): "Probably best at 2000m, blinkers on."
Tim Clark (Hush Writer): "Wide the entire, probably doesn't stay the trip but that run doesn't help."
Kerrin McEvoy (Favorite Moon): "Just pulled at stages during the race."
Andrew Adkins (Rondinella): "Huge effort. Beaten by a better one on the day. Hit the line exceptionally well."
Rachel King (She's Ideel): "Really good run over this trip for the first time. Got held up around the turn."
Damien Thornton (Realm Of Flowers): "Ran good. Got shuffled too far back on the corner when the race changed complexion."
Kathy O'Hara (Sacramento): "He was a little on the bridle. Suggestion to take the blinkers off over that trip."
Ben Thompson (Good Idea): "He was just too aggressive through the run. Found a nice spot but even though covered up, his staying ability had him stick on but lacked a sprint."