3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes following the Group 3 Matron Stakes won by Eternal Flame at Flemington on Saturday.
Race Result:
1st: Eternal Flame (Damian Lane/Mick Kent) - $4.20
2nd: Running By (John Allen/Ciaron Maher) - $4.80
3rd: Foxy Cleopatra (Blake Shinn/Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young) - $5.50
Winning Time: 1:37.44 Last 600m: N/A
Margins: ½L x ¾L
Eternal Flame breaks through for her first Group-level victory @LaneDamian pic.twitter.com/rrWAwSvwH5
— Racing.com (@Racing) March 9, 2024
Winning Trainer: Mick Kent
"She's been very stiff. I didn't want to be here because I thought we'd have black type by now and we might have gone to Sydney.
"We were desperate to get it and she possibly should have won three stakes races by now. We like her a lot and she's still got a bit more to come.
"We might ease up on her and head to the spring now. She's still got two or three inches to grow and these mares get better with age."
Winning Jockey: Damian Lane
"We were mindful that we didn't want to work forward at the mile into the breeze so I came out neutral and a spot presented itself so I ended up rolling forward and taking up that spot.
"We went out with an open mindset and it was great that that was able to eventuate and we were able to have a prominent role.
"I thought the tempo was good throughout and I thought that was ideal but Running By left me off the bridle there on straightening and I was unsure whether I was going to be able to pick up and reel them in.
"To her credit her last 150 metres was her best."
Her development since Australia Day: "She's taken leaps and bounds this preparation. From what she looked this preparation to last she completely looked a different animal.
"She's really strengthened. Physically she's a big strong girl and hopefully this isn't the ceiling for her."
