3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes after Circle Of Fire takes out the Group 1 Schweppes Sydney Cup at Randwick on Saturday.
Race Result:
1st: Circle Of Fire (C Maher/A Atzeni) - $5.50F
2nd: Athabascan (J O'Shea/T Schiller) - $6
3rd: Kalapour (K Lees/D Gibbons) - $12
Winning Time: 3:20.89 Last 600m: 35.87
Margins: 2L x ½L
Circle Of Fire gives @Atzenijockey a G1 in his 8th country, as he wins the Sydney Cup in what is sure to be a very emotional win! @aus_turf_club @cmaherracing pic.twitter.com/dtjmvIgwNq
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 13, 2024
Winning Trainer: Ciaron Maher
On this win: "It is unbelievable. Fitting this week as Andrea was such good mates with Stefano.
"The horse, he was unbelievable. Andrea, he had to be confident and that was unbelievable.
"I can't thank my team, the owners, enough.
"They've done a great job to get a horse in this condition to do it seven days apart. Some effort.
"To WIll Bourne, getting the horse and sourcing it, phenomenal."
"There's one other Cup in the spring and they're very fortunate and lucky owners. I'm rapt for Andrea. I met him in Italy after Royal Ascot last year. He's a great rider and an exceptional fella. I couldn't be more thrilled for him."
Winning Jockey: Andrea Atzeni
In honour of Stefano Cherchi: "It is definitely for him. It has been a tough time for for his family and it is amazing to see them here.
"It must be very tough for them to be here, and they are here because I came.
"It wouldn't have been an easy decision for them to come racing today. It shows how tough they and and it shows that unfortunately Stefano left us doing what he wanted to do and what he loved doing.
"I know him quite well. We spent a lot of time together at Newmarket and I kept in touch with him closely when he moved to Australia. I thought it was a great idea for him to come here and try his luck.
"Unfortunately it didn't last very long."
Being in Sydney: "I've been here three times in the the last three weeks. The first time, unfortunately, not for a good reason.
"I came to see Stefano when he was still with us. I spent about 15 hours with him. I left because I was riding in Hong Kong on the Sunday and unfortunately I got the bad news that Stefano has left us.
"You think you're prepared for something like this but when it comes to it, you can't prepare.
"It is very tough and I must say how unbelievable the family have been.
"I have been speaking to his parents and sister every day and I can't talk how highly enough they have been treated in Australia. The doctors, the nurses, everyone in racing."
On getting the ride: "You know when Ciaron Maher gives you a ring you are certain that he has has a good one. Thank you to the Hong Kong Jockey Club for allowing me to be here today. I'm back there tomorrow."
When he was three-wide in the run: "I didn't like it. The plan was to to get into a nice rhythm with a bit of cover. He raced very keen last time so we wanted to get in behind something. I jumped away nicely.
"Probably better than I thought he woud. We have no plan, really. Wherever he landed I wanted to get cover. I tried early on to get in behind something and I couldn't so I went forward.
"Trying to get in before the bend, that didn't work either. So it was hard work for me. When I turned intot he straight he travelled very strongly. He did it the hard way so I didn't know if he had a lot left in the tank.
"To be fair to the horse, he dug deep when the second horse came to him and the further he went the better he was."
Beaten Jockeys:
Adam Hyeronimus (Military Mission): "I thought he went well. He will be better suited going to the Melbourne Spring, racing against better opposition getting down in the weights.'
Tom Marquand (Mahrajaan): "Got position A where we wanted to be, found a good rhythm. We were the first ones to weaken out of the race. He'll be off for a freshen up."
Craig Williams (Ashrun): "We got into a nice economical run from the wide barrier. For most of the race then we had to pick up and go. I thought for the credentialled horse that he is, I thought he was a bit plain on face value. Will be interesting to see how he comes through today's race."
Blake Shinn (Loft): "Had a nice run. He just didn't finish off."
Reece Jones (Stockman): "Had him out of his comfort zone early when he was stuck wide. I think it was better off than sitting with no cover for 3200m."
Tommy Berry (Selino): "I just really needed to get on my bike earlier. That is the sort of horse he is. I wasn't able to do so given the position I was in."
Dylan Gibbons (Kalapour): "Another courageous effort. He has taken that step up well. Probably only runs 3000m but he tried that hard he got third."
Tim Clark (Serpentine): "Excellent performance. He is racing so well this campaign."
Michael Dee (Amade): "Frustrating. I was hoping he'd jump out well. Obviously missed it by what 10 lengths. After that he has run a great race."
Tyler Schiller (Athabascan): "Great run. Full credit to the winner. I got to him and thought I had him. He was stronger at the end of two miles. Can't knock Athabascan."
Zac Lloyd (Manzoice): "Quite disappointed there. He was travelling really well the whole race. At the 600m I thought I was going to be in the finish. Ultimately he got beaten 30 lengths. Hope the horse pulls up alright."
Jamie Kah (Glentaneous): "Just pulled way too hard for that sort of trip."
Louis-Philippe Beuzelin (Major Beel): "He was just over-racing a bit too generously throughout. Think 3200m is a bit too far for him. Back to 2000m for him."
Rachel King (Mostly Cloudy): "Super run. Had to go a long way back from the gate. But he definitely stays 32[00]."
Jay Ford (So Dazzling): "She wasn't able to perform on the back up today."
