3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes following the Doncaster Mile won by Celestial Legend at Randwick on Saturday.
Race Result:
1st: Celestial Legend (L Bridge/T Schiller) - $6.50
2nd: Pericles (J Cummings/B Shinn) - $41
3rd: Militarize (C Waller/Z Purton) - $11
Winning Time: 1:35.27 Last 600m: 36.12
Margins: ¾L x Short ½ Head
That win is the stuff of legend!
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 6, 2024
Look at Celestial Legend jump out of the ground to take the G1 Doncaster Mile for Les Bridge and @G1TySchil !@aus_turf_club pic.twitter.com/r3eRQyYXU2
Winning Trainer: Les Bridge
On how good the horse is: "He's some horse. I've had a lot of good horses, but this horse is unbelievable."
On the thrill the win gave him: "I just love the horse. I felt the same as I did on Everest day (when Classique Legend won).
"You get horses like this, I thought I'd get one in my lifetime, I keep getting them. I can't work it out."
On whether he thought he could win early in the straight: "I just didn't think he could win, that's all, but he just got out and he's just unbelievable."
How good is the horse to win a Doncaster as a 3YO: "What more can he do? For three-year-olds in this era, to win a Doncaster, when they've got the compressed weights and all these good horses are so close to him in the weights, that was the only thing that made me worry a bit.
"I'm old-fashioned. You get these good, tough horses with the compressed weights, but this horse is just terrific."
On the decision to go to the Doncaster from the Randwick Guineas: "I knew he hadn't gone backwards. I didn't want to give him another hard run because he had a terribly hard run in that mile, so I just gave him a nice tick-over trial."
On whether owner Bon Ho will buy him horses at the Easter Sale: "I'll talk to him about that tonight."
Winning Jockey: Tyler Schiller
On having to get down to 49kg to ride: "It's so worth it, I'm absolutely knackered after it, but I can't thank Les and Mr Ho, the owners and connections, everyone that's had something to do with the horse (enough), they've got him here perfect, I've got the light weight and, God, he was so brave.
"He went through a gap that I wouldn't usually take but a Doncaster means a lot and to do it for Les and his team is terrific.
On how the race panned out: "Early I was a bit worried, he couldn't get into a spot, I would have liked to be a little bit further forward but once the 800 came he tracked into the race so well and then it was just trying to find a gap.
"I probably took a gap that I wouldn't take usually but once he found that clear air, he knows where the line is, he's very competitive and he wasn't going to let them beat him today."
Can this be a springboard to greater success: "I hope so. I'd love to stay around this weight every year but it's very tough to get down to, I don't think I can maintain it but I'm happy to get down to it once or twice for big races.
"Especially for horses like that. They make it once in a lifetime (and) worth it.
On what drives him: "Someone once told me I'd bite off more than I can chew, but I'd rather choke on greatness than nibble on mediocrity."
Beaten Jockeys:
Sam Clipperton (Think About It): "He ran really well. Tried hard. I just don't think he ran the mile with top weight on a heavy surface albeit a good surface. Still a testing surface."
Damian Lane (Obamburumai): "Just didn't get the rub of the green on straightening. Just didn't give him enough space to fully accelerate. Then once I did get room, the race had past him by."
Blake Shinn (Pericles): "He ran amazing to finish second beaten by the superstar 3yo. Had a great run. Very gallant."
Zac Purton (Militarize): "Really good run. He came through like he was going to win. Just at the weights it was a little bit tough for him. Very, very good run."
Tommy Berry (Kovalica): "He has lost a bit of that zip now. Looking for further."
Tim Clark (Detonator Jack): "He ran really honestly. Had a nice run back on the inside. Kept working to the line."
Andrew Adkins (Berkshire Shadow): "Terrific run. Beautiful cart during the race. A bit unlucky late there. Gives you a good feel. Nice horse."
Regan Bayliss (Rustic Steel): "He ran a really good race."
Michael Dee (Lady Laguna): "Come to the end of her prep."
Jay Ford (Democracy Manifest): "He ran a great race. Probably just needed a bit more room earlier."
Ron Stewart (Phearson): "From the awkward alley he has a few little tricks"
Dylan Gibbons (Loch Eagle): "Very good run. He is just racing like he wants 2000m."
Zac Lloyd (Lindermann): "Tried hard. Obviously the barrier was always going to determine how wide we went up the straight. I do think that was a bit heavy for him. He was honest."
Jamie Kah (Another Wil): "He ran well. Just did way too much work. He will be right for another race."
Declan Bates (Nugget): "He has run super. A bit of a shame we didn't at least grab top three. He did deserve that."
Craig Williams (Hinged): "Ran really well. She had no favours in the run."
Rachel King (Navajo Peak): "The mile is just a bit sharp for him."
Molly Bourke (Palmetto): "Ran a super race. Will definitely improve."
