3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes after Barb Raider takes out the Group 2 Kewney Stakes at Flemington on Saturday.
Race Result:
1st: Barb Raider (C Williams/J Hunter) - $8.50
2nd: Argentia (M Zahra/A & S Freedman) - $2.70F
3rd: Mokulua (N Rawiller/C Conners) - $26
Winning Time: 1:37.32 Last 600m: N/A
Margins: ½ Head x ¾L
Wow!
— Racing.com (@Racing) March 12, 2022
Craig Williams goes back-to-back in the G2 Kewney Stakes with Barb Raider holding on for her second win in a row @CWilliamsJockey pic.twitter.com/sFek2LHa0J
Winning Trainer: Jerome Hunter
"It's fantastic. I was a bit emotional a couple of weeks ago but just trying to hold it back now.
"Great to get a horse like this. To get a homebred for the owners is fantastic.
Oaks question: "We'll go home and have a think about but it is very enticing. I do know that she likes the wet as well so looking at Sydney, it'd be nice.
"It's only going to get harder as we go up."
Oaks last prep didn;t work out: "Last preparation I could see her have a kick and that worried me whether she'd be a out and out stayer but this time round I've held a bit more strength in her. You have to have a throw at the stumps if she keeps improving.
Winning Jockey: Craig Williams
"I'm very fortunate. Jerome and his team present a really nice filly to me. They do all the work behind the scene. The owners give the support and I'm just the rider for her.
"Drawing the outside barrier is never ideal in a set weights race and we had Plan A and Plan B and I'm lucky enough that I got the right horse to execute."
Compared to last spring: "She was quite raw back then. Right now she's handling things a whole lot better. She goes to the gates on her own. It's just been a matter of process and the time that Jerome has decided to take with her and you can see the benefits of it now.
"When she had her first jump out, he's had a long, slow process with her so he really knows her inside and out. He's done a remarkable job with a really nice filly."
Ukraine message: "If could send love to my wife and all her fellow Ukranians."
