3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes after Kintyre claims the Group 2 Sky Racing Queensland Guineas at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Race Result:
1st: Kintyre (Gary Portelli/Cejay Graham) - $9
2nd: Razors (James Cummings/Robbie Dolan) - $14
3rd: Press Link (Robert Heathcote/Michael Rodd) - $7
Winning Time: 1:35.50 Last 600m: 35.00
Margins: sh nk x 1L
Winning Trainer: Gary Portelli
"I've been watching Cejay since I came up here, she rode a winner for me on Spaceboy and helped me out when we had Fireburn up here, so I wanted to repay her for helping me out. I put her on this horse in a Group 2, I told her not to be worried about going up the inside because it's not inferior ground. He's a tough horse and she rode him a treat."
Coming back from the 2000m in a heavy 9: "That was the worry coming into today. The track dried out and I was hoping to see some rain, but he didn't need it. He's just a good horse and I'd like to thanks Laurel Oak Bloodstock for giving me the chance to train the half-brother to Fireburn. We've also got the half-brother from the Easter Sales by Pierata, so we're looking forward to seeing him in the stables. The mare is a fantastic mare, and she makes me look good which is hard to do!"
Campaign: "He'll go to the Rough Habit Plate in a fortnight's time, I'm just a bit worried about him seeing out 2400m. I don't want to ruin a nice horse because he's got a big future. I'd love to have a crack at the Golden Eagle next prep. The prizemoney is so good these days, another $200,000 jumps in today so we'll be enjoying a nice Chinese meal tonight!"
Winning Jockey: Cejay Graham
"It feels incredible, I don't have the words to describe it really. To be given this opportunity was surreal, and to salute feels incredible. I didn't think I would get these opportunities with the time I've had off, but to be back here and winning that race makes every bit of hard work worthwhile."
"I couldn't be more grateful to Gary and the owners. Gary has been such a big supporter of female jockeys for many years, and hopefully this will put me in good stead as I come out of my apprenticeship."
"The race couldn't have worked out any better. From the good alley, we got such a sweet run and were able to make the leaders do enough work to bring us into the race. When the leader peeled out I knew we were going to have such a sweet travel through. I couldn't believe it when he poked his head in front, it's a feeling like no other."