Rapid Racing Raceday (Flemington) – January 29th

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(3YO+ Mdn SW - 1000m)

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Winning Horse: Oxley Road (Aus)

3yoC Exceed And Excel (Aus) - Bonnie Mac (NZ)(Thorn Park (Aus))

1 starts - 1 wins $27500

Race Result:

1st: Oxley Road (C Williams/P Moody) - $2.40F

2nd: Apres La Mer (M Lloyd/D Binaisse) - $8
3rd:
 Akaka Falls (J Mott/L Kennewell) - $6.50

Winning Time: 58.66  Last 600m: 34.02

Margins: 1½L x 2¾L

** AFTER RACE 1 - CITY 5 POINTS ….. COUNTRY 5 POINTS

Winning Trainer: Peter Moody

“I’m very pleased that Craig didn’t have to test him under those conditions so I still don’t believe we’ve probably learnt whether he handled the ground, but he’s a very exciting colt. He’s a good colt well sourced by Stephen Gray - a Kiwi trainer in Singapore and Stephen and some clients of his race the horse. I’m just very grateful that they chose me to send him over (to).

“He’s had a couple of preps here and just been very patient and there’s been no pressure from them to get into the sports. They said try him if he’s good then keep him there but if he’s not then come to Singapore. So you’re not getting him, Steve.

“We’ll just let him guide us along. We’ll take little steps. I cheekily nommed him for a Newmarket a few weeks back but that’s pie in the sky, that’s way too soon. We’ll just find a nice three-year-old sprint, just work him through the grades.

“Does he find a little stakes race at the end or somewhere during this prep? Something like the Adelaide race, the Group 2 over there, but let’s enjoy it today and worry about tomorrow tomorrow.”

Winning Jockey: Craig Williams

“Because of the great concept of Rapid Racing I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to pick up a horse for Peter Moody and he’s a really exciting horse going forward.

“Thank you to Racing Victoria and most importantly the VRC for putting on this great concept. I been very fortunate to be a benefactor of a lot of these international jockeys series and it’s only improved me to be the jockey than I am today.”

On the horse: “He’s a serious horse. He’s got all the right attributes to be a top quality horse, similar to his brother, and today was a good example of a horse with really good quality and still doesn’t know what he’s doing. But he was very well educated by Peter and his staff.

“I was lucky enough to pick him up today and have the ride. When he came off the bridle from travelling nice and sweetly I had to shake him up a little bit and he just went into another gear and I know he’s got a lot more to come.

“It’s a great experience for a horse like him to win a maiden here at Flemington. The track is in lovely condition with the deluge we’ve had. This horse you’ll see in bigger races and it’s good for them to know that he handles straight racing.

“I did get a reprimand from our captain for wearing white pants but they’re waterproof and I don’t want to get cold but she said I still need to ask for permission.”

City Coach - Denis Pagan - asked whether Craig is more a country boy: “Kevin has been complaining about that for three days. You deal with the cards you’re dealt. He’s had a good win - a $2.50 favourite - we were pleased about that. He got the chocolates.”

 

Country Coach - Kevin Sheedy: “My jockeys are very persistent. They rode the horse the best they could. The winner was always going to win it but my jockeys they get ten-out-of-ten. We get five points, Denis wins the race but we come out (well).

“I don’t mind that (I can win but not lose). It’s a team game and that’s the way you do it. We got give points and Denis got five points so I’m happy with that.”