3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes after Dublin Down claims the Group 3 TAB Pago Pago Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday.
Race Result:
1st: Dublin Down (T & C McEvoy/T Clark) - $20
2nd: Anode (G Waterhouse & A Bott/A Hyeronimus) - $8.50
3rd: Coleman (M Laurie/T Schiller) - $5.50
Winning Time: 1:10.55 Last 600m: 34.37
Margins: Long Neck x 1¾L
“And Dublin Down is going to gatecrash the Golden Slipper!”
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 16, 2024
Dublin Down takes out the G3 TAB Pago Pago Stakes for @mcevoymitchell!@aus_turf_club pic.twitter.com/o5ukpif6eZ
Winning Trainer: Tony and Calvin McEvoy (Calvin comments)
On the win: "That was very impressive. We know he's a really good colt, he's a Group-winning colt. But the way Tim (Clark) rode him, he rode him positive, blinkers on first time. We didn't really think he'd have the speed to do that but he took control of the race."
"They rolled along at a good tempo, he was extremely strong so it was very exciting."
Golden Slipper?: "We will see. We weren't sure whether he was more of a Sires' (Produce Stakes) horse, so we will keep all of the options open. But he's up here, he's earned his way into the Slipper so we will give it great consideration."
On Dublin Down's Blue Diamond run: "He had a setback going into the Blue Diamond and then he had to go into it first-up, which just doesn't happen. He actually got pole-axed, held up, the run was better than it looked in the Diamond. We were then keen to put the blinkers on. Exceedance really jumped out of the ground when the shades went on and his mum did as well, so I was pleasantly surprised with that."
Winning Jockey: Tim Clark
Surprised at how well Dublin Down sustained that gallop?: "I didn't plan to go out there with any intentions to lead but I just allowed him to begin and see if I could be in the first five or six and he actually travelled so sweetly throughout."
"It was a surprise that he landed there but I felt that he controlled himself well and when I did just ask him to build, there was a nice response from him."
"He quickened up nicely and he was probably just feeling the effects the last little bit. But it was a good tough effort."
Could he be competitive in Golden Slipper?: (Clark is riding Straight Charge): "He's put his hand up today and said that he's in good form. Hopefully the Slipper winner is at home in his box, the box next to Storm Boy, that's where Straight Charge is. So hopefully that's where the Slipper is going back to next week."
Beaten Jockeys:
Tyler Schiller (Coleman): "I thought he did a great job. He relaxed well but probably didn't handle the track around the corner. But I thought once he balanced up in the straight he was very good."
Kerrin McEvoy (Parkour): "I thought he ran well. He had blinkers on and it just sharpened him a little bit. I think essentially the stable are planning to get him out to 1400m in the Baillieu which might be a nice option."
Adam Hyeronimus (Anode): "A beautiful colt. A good run. Just needs seven furlongs."
Tom Sherry (King Of Roseau): "He ran honestly. Might have come to the end of the prep."
Jason Collett (Duvana): "Had to give away cheap lengths early to come back and get cover. Just felt it was difficult to get into the race."
James McDonald (Gatsby's): "He ran well. Just a little bit immature and it might have just caught up a little bit quick with him. He will make the grade."
Regan Bayliss (Johnny The Kid): "He'll make a nice horse."
Josh Parr (Agenda Setter): "Disappointing effort. He settled back in a fast run race and wasn't able to build and show a turn of foot."
Sam Clipperton (The Three Hundred): "He's a nice enough horse. All just come a bit soon for him."
