3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes following the Group 3 JRA Chairman’s Handicap won by Yonkers at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Race Result:
1st: Yonkers (Nash Rawiller/Chris Waller) - $7
2nd: Our Intruige (Willie Pike/Chris Waller) - $6.50
3rd: Smart Meteor (Brock Ryan/Chris Munch) - $20
Winning Time: 2:15.99 Last 600m: 36.25
Margins: Neck x 2¾L
Winning Trainer: Chris Waller
"It was a lovely ride from a tricky barrier and that certainly makes it a lot easier. With the strength of Nash there's always something there when he pulls them out too.
"He looked to be cruising and the stablemate, she fought bravely and I thought she might have had the upper hand with 100 metres to go. The easier run in transit helped.
"He's a decent horse. I think he started his journey for the team in Saratoga, he was bought him when one of the owners was getting married. Then he was sold to Ireland to pay for the wedding. He was running there against all of the good Coolmore horses with good thirds and fourths and then he came down here.
"He's not a Group 1 horse but he's right there.
"He ran fifth in the Australian Cup so we brought him up here for the Doomben Cup but he's got on the right leg now so he'll definitely run in The Q22."
Nash: "We're very lucky in Australia, we've got some great riders on the eastern seaboard."
The track: "If they get it right, and get the length of it right, it is close to perfect. We've just been through a nightmare autumn in Sydney and in Queensland. You can't lose race meetings - it is a massive loss to the industry.
"So you need good draining surfaces and they can't be too firm for the horses. If they get the grass perfect then you've got a good surface and you won't lose any meetings."
Winning Jockey: Nash Rawiller
"The track is riding really well. I don't know how we're racing today (with all the rain).
"I was up running fourth so I can't really comment on the kickback. Normally with this weather it would be unsuitable but there's very little kickback.
"You need the right horse to handle it but every horse gets its chance."
Carrying 59kg: "It didn't really concern me. He did jump well and used that for the first hundred. For five strides there I thought he was going to go to the front but they put the pressure back into the race and I was able to get a nice spot there.
"He did the rest. He didn't know how to go on and win by more than a neck but he certainly had a length up his sleeve.
"The horse has got a bit of class and he's shown that throughout his career. Hopefully there's a nice race in him before the end of the carnival."
Maybe Q22: "A more solidly run race mat suit him. When a few of them are feeling the pinch he can keep going."