3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes after Wolflands takes out the Ladbrokes 55 Second Challenge Heat 1 at Moonee Valley on Friday.
Race Result:
1st: Wolflands (Julien Welsh/Carleen Hefel) - $26
2nd: Sartorial Splendor (John Sadler/Luke Nolen) - $26
3rd: Great Diviner (Will Clarken/Kerrin McEvoy) - $41
Winning Time: 55.54 Last 600m: N/A
Margins: Short ½ Head x 1¼L
It's an upset to the first leg of the quaddie!
Wolflands nailed Sartorial Splendor right on the post
Winning Trainer: Julien Welsh
"It was a great win. He's a really exciting horse, this horse. I've really got some high hopes for him.
"I came into this race tonight thinking that I've got to use the weight. He only had 53 (kilos) on his back and he drew barrier 13 and when I saw that I nearly jumped off a bridge when the acceptances came out.
"I said to Carleen that you've just got to make them work. He's hard fit, this horse, for quite a few months. He's been to Adelaide, he's come back and tonight was a real test for him.
"I just wanted to see where he sat in the scheme of things. He's only lightly raced at only his seventh start and he's won four now. I can't be happier and Carleen rode him a treat.
"When he gets a bit of a sniff and he's up there and he can fight it out, he really digs in deep and tonight really showed that."
Lifting the bar: "I was going to put him out - he's been up a long time - but I suppose when you win a race like this there's alway something going on in your mind. We'll just see how he pulls up and take it from there but I haven't got any big plans for him but tonight was sort of his grand final."
Winning Jockey: Carleen Hefel
"Julien really keeps raising the bar and even though we didn't have the best of runs he showed us how tough he was.
"He's got good ability and I think he's going to keep improving with racing."
Thrilling win: "It is a big thrill. I think this is my first Group 1 night meeting so it is good to get a winner for Julien."