3 minute read

Trainer and jockey quotes after Kiku claims the Magic Millions National Classic at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Race Result:

1st: Kiku (Chris Waller/James McDonald) - $4.40F
2nd: Nudge (Chris Waller/Nash Rawiller) - $5
3rd: Atishu (Chris Waller/Tim Clark) - $5

Winning Time: 1:36.60     Last 600m: 34.26

Margins: ½L x Short ½ Head

Waller-trained First 4 with Our Intrigue in fourth place

.@cwallerracing and @mcacajamez strike again, this this time with Kiku who breaks a 415 day drought. @BrisRacingClub pic.twitter.com/4WffuCUQze

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 4, 2022

Winning Trainer: Chris Waller

All of his runner: "They did a good job. It was a lovely and you see these prizemoney races popping up everywhere and it is a half-million dollar race. They wouldn't be running at four or five years-of-age for that."

Kiku: "James McDonald, it was good a ride and he saved a bit of ground. Nash was right there the whole way but James probably had the momentum up."

Next: "I think a couple of them will freshen up and go to the Tatts Tiara. For the 1400 metres they'll need to be fresh. I think there is a 2100 metre listed race that day so we might take two to that race and two to the Tatts Tiara."

Winning Jockey: James McDonald

"Without doubt the barrier (1) assisted us here. It allowed us to improve, improve (and) I wish I had the same run in the Derby. It might have been a different result.

"She's a real honest horse. She's had her quirks early on missing the kick but she got away nicely and the barrier really helped us there.

"I could see Our Intrigue just drifting majority of the race so it was going to be hard to maintain that rail position but it felt like they really quickened 450-500 from home and it was made a real dash. The on-pacers really helped."

Getting back in trip: "She looks like she's holding her condition. She probable peaked on her run fifty or 100 from the line but back to 1400 won't matter."