3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes after Here To Shock claims the Tile Importer Handicap at Sandown on Saturday.
Race Result:
1st: Here To Shock (Damien Oliver/Ben & JD Hayes) - $6
2nd: Munhamek (Ben Melham/Nick Ryan) - $7
3rd: Savannah Cloud (Madison Lloyd/Philip Stokes) - $9
Winning Time: 1:23.10 Last 600m: N/A
Margins: Short ½ Head x ¾L
Winning Trainer: Ben & JD Hayes (JD speaking)
The ups and downs of the day: "Character building, for sure, but a great way to end the day.
"I thought Ollie rated that horse an absolute treat from the front and it looked that the plan was to get cover but that is why you put the good jockeys on and he made a quick decision to go to the front.
"Full credit to the horse. He put in a flat one (last start) where he paraded really well this time. A mile back to 1400 and it was a great effort by the team back home. I thought it was a really good effort to get this horse back up and winning.
The turnaround: "I think that it is a real credit to the ear muffs. They really work for him. It is the first time we have put them on him and I'll attribute that to why he was so relaxed."
Post-Orr protest loss: "A lot of people have reached out and I'm thankful for that. That's the highs and lows of racing and if that horse (Here To Shock) had got beaten in a photo, I don't know what I would have done.
"Luckily he got his nose down and the sun will come up tomorrow. I thought Gentleman Roy was terrific in defeat anyway.
"Congratulations to Jacquinot."
Winning Jockey: Damien Oliver
"He's a bit tricky. He's really shown a liking for Sandown and the 1400. I certainly have to pay compliments to the Hayes boys - both JD and Ben.
"They recommended putting on the ear muffs and they really worked well for home today.
"The horse in the gates next to him played up in the gates badly and he coped with it really well.
"He's a tough on pace horse and he's a big free strider so this big track really suits him."
The day at Sandown: "Fantastic day's racing and it is great to see people voting with their feet here. We're getting some great crowds at a great track and some good weather. It all makes for fantastic racing."