3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes after Cascadian claims the Group 1 TAB Australian Cup at Flemington on Saturday.
Race Result:
1st: Cascadian (Ben Melham/James Cummings) - $7.50
2nd: Pride Of Jenni (Declan Bates/Ciaron Maher) - $3.60
3rd: Atishu (Blake Shinn/Chris Waller) - $4.80
Winning Time: 2:00.05 Last 600m: N/A
Margins: Long Head x 1¾L
WHAT A HORSE
— Racing.com (@Racing) March 30, 2024
Cascadian emulates the feats of Harlem & goes back-to-back in the Australian Cup
@godolphin @BMelham pic.twitter.com/Xm4sVZb80j
Winning Trainer: James Cummings (rep by Nacim Delmi)
"We knew tactics were going to be tricky obviously with Pride Of Jenni over the 2000-metres and Declan rode a great race.
"The temp suited him perfectly. When they came up to the top of the straight and he was travelling we knew he was going to give it a good shake.
"Once he peeled out and Ben Melham timed it perfectly, it was great.
Managing the horse after the All-Star Mile: "He is easy to do anything with. He has been really fresh the last few days and we had to keep him as calm as possible,
"He came here today in great order and when we saddled him up and did the girth, he grabbed hold of the strapper's arm and wouldn't let go. We knew he was on song today.
"Back-to-back, it is unreal.
Secret to him getting better with age: "He turned nine on Tuesday. He carries on like a young horse and he's still got so much racing in him. He's just such a good horse to have in the stables. You'd love to have ten of him in the stables."
Winning Jockey: Ben Melham
"That's the way he loves it. James and the Godolphin team have done a tremendous job with this horse.
"He ran really well the other day, like he did last year in the All-Star Mile and came out and won.
"I tell you what, if you could ever declare a horse on the way to the barrier, this is him.
"Couldn't have been in better order which gave me the confidence to ride him like I wanted to.
"He loves pinching runs and sneaking around the place. He's just too good for them.
"To see horses his age still beating the best horses in the land at this trip is phenomenal to see.
"Massive feat for him to win two in a row.
"Ride of the year, I reckon."
Beaten Jockeys:
Craig Williams (Mr Brightside): "He's still an amazing horse. He tried his heart out. I'm pretty sure that this race will have been run at a pretty quick tempo to compare with all the other times in 10 furlong Group 1 races, so sometimes some horses can appreciate and endure that. The winner did, Atishu did. My horse was closest to Pride Of Jenni in the run. Most importantly he pulls up safe. He's in great hands with the Hayes boys and hopefully he will continue on with his preparation."
Billy Egan (Vow And Declare): "Another super consistent run. As he has been at his last few preps, he can go to Queensland again and be competitive."
Mark Zahra (Dom To Shoot): "No good."
Damian Lane (Young Werther): "I put him in the race and probably on that speed he couldn't hold that gallop. He was honest, but at the time they've run, that's about where he is against those horses."
Jamie Mott (Esti Feny): "He probably raced a little bit closer than what I anticipated, but overall I think he was disappointing."
Declan Bates (Pride Of Jenni): "She's run super as usual. She was very brave. Just over that distance I would have liked to have come back a bit more. She's used to doing her usual thing, so we worked with her as best we could and it turned out well. I feel like going forward over this distance and going forward next year she will be even better over this distance."
Blake Shinn (Atishu): "She ran really, really well. It was a great race. They ran quick from the start to the end. She got into a good spot behind Mr Brightside. She presented to win, it was just the tempo of the race that really took our turn of foot out of her. She's really a great mare. She run well. A really great third."
Michael Dee (Legarto): "She felt a little bit flat today, so maybe she's looking for a bit of a break now."
