Caulfield Race Day – May 8th

Darren Gauci Handicap

(3yo Handicap - 1200m)

Post Race Details & Comments

Winning Horse: Ayrton (NZ)

3yoG Iffraaj (GB) - Odessa (NZ)(Falkirk (NZ))

3 starts - 3 wins $167750

Other Wins

1st Caulfield Ken Sturt (Bm70) 1400m (2020)

1st Bendigo Wilson's Tree Services Mdn 1300m (2020) (Debut Run)

Race Result:

1st: Ayrton (J Kah/M Price & M Kent Jr) - $1.65F

2nd: Curran (M Cartwright/L Tolson & L Proctor) - $5
3rd:
 The Big Easy (T Nugent/C Maher & D Eustace) - $10

Winning Time: 1:10.08  Last 600m: N/A

Margins: 1¾L x 3¾L

Winning Trainer: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr (Price speaking)

“I still say that 1200 metres, when you look back on his form when he gets a bit older, it will not be his best distance. But the race was put on nicely for him, the barrier was good and the horse was strong to the line. It looked like it was an easy sort of a win.

“He was a little bit fresh. I didn’t do anything with him on Thursday. I wanted him fresh as for the 1200 metres. I’ve had the edge on him all week. I was a little but toey about the 1200 so I needed him as fresh as he could be.

“He’s had two good trials. He’s a good tempered horse. He’s got a bit to learn but I think 1400 and a mile will be good. We’ve got our little plan which includes a trip and then that’ll be us this prep.

“I’m not a big spruiker, I hope I’m not anyway. I remember when we first had the horse on his first start a couple of Hong Kong people race and I usually say ‘give me a figure’ but this was a plain ‘no, not happening’.

“I think he’s one of the better horses I’ve had.”

What’s next: “Fred Best in three weeks. It’s a win and you’re in it for the Straddie and then all being well that’ll be us.”

Winning Jockey: Jamie Kah

Equalled her own record of five winners in a day: “It’s exciting. Awesome day and awesome week for the family with Clayton having a great day on Thursday. We’ll have some celebrations tonight.”

On the horse: “I wasn’t worried about bustling him into a spot today. I just wanted him to relax and he did. He’s a more relaxed and furnished horse this time in and I just loved the way this horse still hasn’t quickened underneath me yet, he just extends.

“Once he puts it all together he’s going to be a really exciting horse over a bit of ground.

“I’ve pretty much confirmed to ride him in Brisbane but we’ll have to see what weight he gets because I might need to start dieting now if he goes to the Stradbroke.

“He’s the main reason I’m here. I was looking forward to him all day and I love the way he’s come back. He’s matured and he is an exciting horse. Looking forward to the future.”