3 minute read

Trainer and jockey quotes after the Listed Makers Mark Hinkler Handicap at Eagle Farm on Saturday won by King Kapa.

Race Result:

1st: King Kapa (B Thompson/T Gollan) - $6F
2nd: Ef Troop (T Clark/T Gollan) - $14
3rd: Ranges (J Parr/P & P Snowden) - $14

Winning Time: 1:10.64      Last 600m: 35.35

Margins: L x L

It's all about King Kapa!

A great ride by @BenThompson2102, and a double for @tonygollan. pic.twitter.com/QZw3iFl4aY

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 10, 2023

Winning Trainer: Tony Gollan

"He's been a fantastic acquisition to our stable. I really want to thank the team at Strong Bloodstock for sending him up to us.

"He'd been going through his grades and came back with an eye to this carnival for him and things didn't work out too well his first start back when the draw sort of pulled him up here and didn't know what was going on.

"Then back to the trials, a really good run the other day in stakes grade at Doomben so we came here confident but it was an awfully good field but he put them away and did a great job.

"I didn't think he'd be able to lead and win this race. There looked a lot of pressure on paper but Ben held his nerve and held that rail.

"Our plan was to always come a couple off (the rail). There were plenty of horses with him the whole way and I suggest once I put him away and bring him back for the summer carnival, he's going to be a sprint star this year.

"When he came to us he didn't look like he does now. He's really strengthening up and I can't thank the team enough. He's going to be really good for the team and for the stable for the next few years."

On Ef Troop: "He was brilliant. He had that bad gate and he had to go back, take a bit of medicine and get a bit of cover. He ran on brilliant. Maybe he'll get his day in the Ramornie at Grafton, who knows."

Winning Jockey: Ben Thompson

"He was super. Probably out of the speed runners and those amongst the chances, he drew best so I had to use a good draw.

"There were horses from out wide that were a bit of a burden but I just had to ride him with confidence.

"He probably would have travelled more comfortably with a sit but Two Ya Got came across and I thought by the time it crosses us it'll nearly be time to go.

"I didn't really let him go until 100 metres later than planned. He didn't want any further than the 1200 (metres) late but he's a really nice horse in the making.

"He's come such a long way since the end of last year. From a Class 2 to a stakes winner and stakes placed. He loves Eagle Farm and credit to Tony and his team.

"I'm fortunate to have become familiar with him now. I did ride him in a trial before his first race start.

"Who is to say he won't get seven furlongs in time. He was there to relax but he was stirred up by this horse around him. He's a nice horse and a stakes winner now."