3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes following the TJ Smith Stakes won by Chain Of Lightning at Randwick on Saturday.
Race Result:
1st: Chain Of Lightning (P Moody & K Coleman/D Lane) - $21
2nd: Bella Nipotina (C Maher/C Williams) - $11
3rd: I Wish I Win (P Moody & K Coleman/J McDonald) - $4.20
Winning Time: 1:10.40 Last 600m: 34.75
Margins: Short Neck x Short ½ Head
Chain Of Lightning causes a bit of an upset in the G1 TJ Smith Stakes!@aus_turf_club @moodyracingpgm @kscoleman @LaneDamian pic.twitter.com/6JyFRHqgtA
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 6, 2024
Winning Trainer: Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman (Moody interviewed)
On winning with the outsider of his pair: "It wasn't quite the one I thought (would win), I was looking at Wish (I Wish I Win) steaming down the outside.
On winning for Stuart Ramsey: "This is a beautiful moment. Stuey and Trish Ramsey, they've been my foundation clients, we go back 30-odd years, so to win that for him that's unbelievably special."
On winning the race named after his former boss, T J Smith: "Fourth time now winning the race named after 'The Little Master', my first boss TJ Smith, which makes me very proud."
On Katherine Coleman's first Group 1 win and his family: "Thanks to Kat Coleman, my training partner, her first Group 1. Well done Katherine, well deserved.
"Thanks to my lovely wife Sarah and all the girls. They're all over the world watching us at the moment.
"We've had a big couple of weeks shifting stables and everything. It's a very proud moment."
On the decision to have a crack at the race with Chain Of Lightning: "We thought we might have been out of our depth class wise, but I think she shocked us a little bit with her courage and determination, and a beautiful ride by Damian.
"It's the first preparation in a few where she's run into a couple of wet tracks and she's won a Group 2 and a Group 1. She just loves getting that toe into the ground."
On the run of I Wish I Win: "He ran superb. He was there to win and probably just peaked on the run the last little bit."
Winning Jockey: Damian Lane
On how the race panned out: "She was super. I was able to hold a handy spot from a good draw and just travelled into the race so well.
"Moods said to me before the race, 'if you're going well on straightening, try and pinch a break up the rise'.
"I did and then I went, 'I might have gone too early'. (That's teach me for) listening to trainers again, but in the end it came off and she was so tough.
"She's a race day horse, she just steps up to the mark every time she's asked to and she just fights on."
Beaten Jockeys:
James McDonald (I Wish I Win): "He was massive. Ran out of his skin."
Tim Clark (Mazu): "He raced a bit keenly early but he was a beaten horse on the turn.'
Tyler Schiller (Coal Crusher): "He has lacked his early speed his last couple of runs. He might be ready for a break."
Zac Purton (Aft Cabin): "Just couldn't quite get the right run. Stuck out there facing the breeze, exposed. Got there too soon."
Ben Melham (Buenos Noches): "Ran well. Had to give a start away from the draw. I will be interested to see him at 1400m."
Mark Zahra (Johnny Rocker): "He ran well. Didn't disgrace himself. Probably better on top of the ground. Good effort."
Opie Bosson (Imperatriz): "She got held up momentarily for a few strides but she ran through the line well."
Craig Williams (Bella Nipotina): "So proud of my mare's performance today. She was amazing. Loves the conditions and fought all the way to the line."
Nash Rawiller (Espiona): "Wonderful run. Got tied up in behind them there, strung up for 100 yards. She lengthened and finished off better than anything."
Jason Collett (Sunshine In Paris): "Really happy with the run. Finished it off well."
Michael Dee (Magic Time): "Another great effort. Unfortunately she was stuck down toward the inside. 1400m third up will be right up her alley."
Dylan Gibbons (Willinga Beast): "She has gone enormous. Great run leading into a provincial race next week."
