3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes after the Listed G.H. Mumm Century Stakes at Flemington on Thursday won by Najem Suhail.
Race Result:
1st: Najem Suhail (D Lane/R Griffiths & M de Kock) - $5.50
2nd: Spacewalk (J McDonald/J Cummings) - $3F
3rd: Halvorsen (J Kah/R Griffiths & M de Kock) - $17
Winning Time: 57.38 Last 600m: N/A
Margins: Short Head x 1¾L
Winning Trainer: Robbie Griffiths & Matthew de Kock
Words from Mat de Kock: "It is an awesome thrill to have a winner during the Cup Carnival and it makes it even more special that my dad is in the ownership.
"He is the one who had a lot of faith in this horse from day one.
"It is nice to have a very rewarding moment like this for the team.
Since last Saturday: " Najem just had a chill on the couch, watched Netflix. He came here today in good form and that is what he did.
"Coming back to 1000 (metres) he was always going to be strong to the line. Damian rode him absolutely perfect and to have a world class jockey like Damian on always helps."
Words from Robbie Griffiths: "He was too fresh as everyone seen on Saturday and he came through the run super and Matt and I were delighted with him so his last run here at Flemington over the 1000 he was very very good when he won and ran fast time so as you would've seen in the yard today he presented like a horse who hadn't run on Saturday so he was in good order and both horses did us very proud."
On Halvorsen: "He was always going to run third, I had the quinella… both horses were fantastic, they're both very good sprinters, they complement each one another because one goes fast and one gets off the speed so they really complement one another and they did the stable very proud."
Winning Jockey: Damian Lane
"He's still going after the race, he's full of beans, credit to Robbie and Matty to have him this well on the backup so quick."
"He got into a lovely rhythm today, 1000 metres really helped him and the sting out of the ground helps him as well."
"Spacewalk hit the front and this guy was really solid through the line, I don't know if Spacewalk had another think about it but this guy was really solid to the line.
"I took him down (to the start) nice and quiet. I was warned just to trot him. If he canters off it might be the end of you but I just tried to keep him relaxed.
"He gave me a nice ride in the race. He got a little keen but I think the back-up might have helped that.
"It is not easy to turn a horse around that quick. They've done well."