3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes after the Goodwood Trophy at Flemington on Saturday taken out by El Soleado.
Race Result:
1st: El Soleado (J Kah/R Laing) - $4.80
2nd: Aramco (D Lane/M Price & M Kent Jnr) - $1.95 fav
3rd: Star Vega (L Currie/A & S Freedman) - $3.50
Winning Time: 2:02.36 Last 600m: N/A
Margins: half-neck x 1-1/4L
El Soleado salutes for the third consecutive race & gives Robbie Laing city winners in 24 hours @jamieleekah07 pic.twitter.com/5KvSbWVkYz
— Racing.com (@Racing) February 17, 2024
Winning Trainer: Robbie Laing
Evaluation of the win: "I said to the owners when we stood up after clapping him to the line that he's a lucky horse as he's had three ten-out-of-ten rides his last three starts."
How race shape unfolded: "He began better again today, which was good, so that's twice now that he's jumped good. I wouldn't have minded if he had led today because we've got quite a high opinion of him. We just didn't want his stride to be retarded.
"I just thought he's clean-winded, a big-striding horse, I didn't want to see him being checked or pulling and being a hard luck story. So, I would have been happy to lead, didn't have to. They set a nice tempo, then needed luck, and luckily Cindy's horse (Akrotiri) tired enough for him to get out and he wore it down.
"The doubters who said he wouldn't run 2000 (metres), the strongest part of his race was the last 100 metres."
Where to now: "Australian Cup, of course (tongue in cheek). I don't know. He's not far off having a break. He's had a busy time. A big, light gelding, if we look after him, he could be around for three or four years."
Winning Jockey: Jamie Kah
How handled the trip: "I haven't ridden for Robbie for god knows how long. He's a character and I like riding for him.
"This horse is a push button out there. He does everything to make your job easy. He's going to be freshish when he gets up over 2500 (metres) plus, I think."
Freakish?: "He took a little while, probably 100 metres, once I got out for him to reach his top, but I think as the races get longer, he's going to get better."
On the improve: "He's still on the up and is not 100 percent there yet. Every race he's is getting better and working it out and when he gets out over 2500 metres, he's going to be a lovely ride."
