3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes following the Listed Sunlight Classic won by Estriella at Flemington on Saturday.
Race Result:
1st: Estriella (Blake Shinn/Ciaron Maher) - $2.05F
2nd: Arkansaw Kid (Jye McNeil/Ben, Will & JD Hayes) - $21
3rd: Saltaire (Craig Williams/John O'Shea) - $14
Winning Time: 1:02.31 Last 600m: N/AA
Margins: 2-1/2L x 1/2L
As easy as you like
— Racing.com (@Racing) March 30, 2024
Estriella topples the class record held by Giga Kick (Danehill) in a dominant display @cmaherracing @blake_shinn pic.twitter.com/HI7owKF2RB
Winning Trainer: Ciaron Maher
"I said to Blake - he rode her both ways, he rode her back, he rode her forward - I said to ride her wherever she's comfortable.
"She's got a great turn-of-foot off a sprint but I said that if you need to take the bull by the horns, do that as well.
"He's got a great understanding of her and she's obviously got oodles of ability and we've had to be patient with her.
"She spends all of her time at Fingal. It is fantastic. She was in Sydney and we used our facility on the beach because her action wasn't there and she would feel it. Sand training, she's the banner horse for that.
"Happy horses usually make good, happy, sound racehorses.
"She is a horse that has got so much in front of her. She's got an immature action and we tinker away with her. She's not there mentally either.
"It is about holding her together, harnessing her, she's got so much in front of her.
"I thought last start, her last win was huge. She sat out there in no mans land and quickened up to win by herself.
"We thought that win would have taken a bit out of her."
Next: "The Arrowfield is a very good money race but the Sangster is a very good lure with the Group 1. I'd say we might end up in Adelaide.
"With time, if we're kind to her she'll be kind to us."
Winning Jockey: Blake Shinn
"It was just like a track gallop, the way we treated it. She was super. Well done to Ciaron. He's got a great handle on her.
"Back to 1100-metres, she was nice and fresh. She's a bit of a free sweater but it was within herself and she relaxed nicely.
"Once she got to the front, how are they going to beat her?
"Just really happy for the whole team.
"Anywhere from 1000-metres to 1200, I think she's destined for a Group 1, this horse. She's pretty special.
"She's got the frame of a four-year-old or five-year-old mare. It is just getting her mindset right but she is learning all the time."
"I feel honoured to be riding a horse of this calibre at this point in time."
