3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes following the Country Championships Final won by Asgarda at Randwick on Saturday.
Race Result:
1st: Asgarda (D Gorrel/K Nisbet) - $26
2nd: Gallant Star (B Robb/S Clipperton) - $11
3rd: Rapbidash (L Chandler/T Berry) - $20
Winning Time: 1:23.61 Last 600m: 35.84
Margins: 1¼L x 1¾L
Asgarda from Wagga takes the Country Championships Final for @DougGorrel and @nisbet_kayla @aus_turf_club pic.twitter.com/6Fh7ofL0vA
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 6, 2024
Winning Trainer: Doug Gorrel
Can he put the winning feeling into words?: "Not really, not yet, but it's just the most wonderful feeling.
"That horse has been entrusted to us by Kooringal Stud and this big fella Lance Gilbert (breeder) from Griffith and all his mates, it's just a dream come true.
"My kids and my wife are here, I can't believe it. I really can't."
On the horse: "She's a lovely horse, we knew we had a really nice horse but they don't give these races away.
"She's $21 for a reason, she's supposed to finish midfield and she's won the bloody thing."
On watching the race: "I went at the furlong post, but she just put a length-and-a-half, two lengths, on them at the 250 mark I reckon."
Winning Owner/Breeder: Lance Gilbert
"What a great thrill for everyone. Doug's done a fantastic job with the this mare, she's all courage this mare, she's had her ups and downs this prep but let me know you she's one tough cookie,."
Winning Jockey: Kayla Nisbet
On winning the race: "It's a huge thrill. I was just saying, we say time and time again what a great initiative this has been for country participants, but to be able to win it is a huge thrill.
"It's given all country participants an achievable goal to strive for and to be able to win it is very exciting."
On the mare and how the race panned out: "She's so easy to ride, she really helps herself, she always bounces well and puts herself up on the speed.
"Her last couple of runs I've probably ridden her a bit out of her comfort zone just because they've been in ordinary fields and I haven't wanted to get in behind too many of them.
"Today, with good speed and a good draw, I knew we were going to get a nice run in behind them and she just showed an electric turn of foot."
Beaten Jockeys:
Jay Ford (Bandi's Boy): "He is far better than that. I just think he's come to the end of things. He was abnormally very quiet today and that showed in the run."
Craig Williams (Bianco Vilano): "I thought under the circumstances of the race where he was, I thought he ran really solid. At the top of the straight I was following Nash and just wasn't able to stay on his back. He didn't have the acceleration I've known he has had in the past."
Josh Parr (Russley Crown): "Scotty's had no luck."
Tyler Schiller (Auzstar): "I thought he ran well. Just a touch out of his grade."
Nash Rawiller (Tribeca Star): "He didn't quite see the trip out. He felt the winner at one stage."
Blake Shinn (Rainbow Connection): "He ran a great race. Ran fourth, every chance, good effort."
Reece Jones (Sharp Shock): "Got cut out down the straight. Got pinballed away and that was him."
Sam Clipperton (Gallant Star): "Really proud of him. He has run out of his skin. Enjoyed a nice run with cover and let down really well. Credit to the winner because it really zipped at the 300m but my fella was pegging it back. He has gone terrific."
Zac Lloyd (Associate): "A bit disappointing. I was expecting a better run. Just felt like he resented the track a bit."
Jason Collett (Atmospheric Rock): "Probably found the 1400m too far."
Tommy Berry (Rapbidash): "She was unlucky."
Rachel King (Musical Affair): "Showed really good speed but got a bit bogged down on the track."
Jenny Duggan (Agirlsbestfriend): "We had a beautiful run in transit following the favourite butcher is feeling something somewhere. She didn't pull up the best."
Jake Pracey-Holmes (Listen To The Band): "Not one of my best. He was stuck four deep. Happy with his effort."
