3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes after the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday won by Colette.
Race Result:
1st: Colette (D Lane/J Cummings) - $2.45F
2nd: Steinem (J McNeil/C Maher & D Eustace) - $10
3rd: Aidensfield (C Williams/B & J Hayes) - $20
Winning Time: 1:24.99 Last 600m: N/A
Margins: 1¼L x 1¼L
Winning Trainer: James Cummings (rep by Sean Keogh)
Using Equicast three-quarter plate: "That is to strengthen up the foot. The abscess was so stubborn that it weakened the foot a little bit.
"The farriers in the week leading up spent plenty of time with her so we could get the solid gallops into her. There were plenty of days at the beach between her work and we kept her ticking over.
"She had the preparation for the Caulfield Cup and she had plenty of work in her. We felt that the residual fitness that she would have held for today, it was great to see her pull it off.
Freshening for 1400m: "It's not unknown territory. She was first-up last preparation beating probably the best mare in the country over seven furlongs. Two starts back she was here at Caulfield warming into her preparation over seven furlongs and so with the freshness and that residual fitness, down in grade, she showed her class of the Group 1 mare that she is."
Settling at the rear: "We thought we'd let the quality unfold and didn't tie Damien down with too many instructions.
"He had a sit on her during the week and he just let her chime into the race and if she was feeling well enough she would salute."
What's next: "She is still in the Cox Plate and definitely fit enough to get a mile-and-a-quarter. You'd like to think that against the mares she's well placed as well."
Winning Jockey: Damian Lane
"She was good. She didn't begin as well as I would have liked. I wanted to hold a touch closer position.
"She dropped the bridle a long way out and I thought pre-race that the last thing I wanted to be doing was getting caught flatfooted because she was originally trained for a staying prep and that's exactly happened.
"To her credit, between the 400 (metre mark) and the 250, it was really where she made good ground and killed the race.
"Not easy to get horses back from setbacks mid-campaign to winning race. They've done a great job with this mare and I'd say her spring is not over yet.
"She is still in the Cox Plate but hopefully something like the Empire Rose would be right up her alley."