Race Result:
1st: Southport Tycoon (J Kah/C Maher) – $19
2nd: Veight (D Lane/T & C McEvoy) – $4.80
3rd: Riff Rocket (C Williams/C Waller) – $2.50 fav
Winning Time: 1:35.48 Last 600m: N/A
Margins: 1-¼ lengths x 1 length
Winning Trainer: Ciaron Maher
On the win: “He was almost the forgotten colt really, I was very confident last start and I almost doubted myself a little bit, Jamie had the barrier, I was confident she had the right barrier to bounce, land in the right spot, she couldn’t have rode the horse any better, traveled, followed Veight into the race, you know he’s a genuine, genuine horse and I was very confident coming down the straight, watching it, couldn’t wait to talk to you two guys again actually.”
For the owners: “Nathan (Bennett) and his whole business, they’ve put a lot in, there’s not a race you see go round that there’s not the Bennett Racing colours in and this colt’s always promised so much, these are your tatts lotto tickets, colts in group ones, full credit to them and great job to our team- Jack Turnbull, Ian Gilchrist, Fulmen Park, everyone involved, all the staff, all the riders, phenomenal.”
All-Star Mile: “Being a three-year-old colt, maybe it’s worth considering a little bit more, now he’s got that group one on the board, it’s a more realistic option but I’m sure they’ll enjoy it tonight and we’ll have some good, healthy conversations about it tomorrow.”
Winning Jockey: Jamie Kah
How the race unfolded: “Everything just worked out a dream out there today, we got into a beautiful spot, the horse I wanted to follow was Veight and we were following him and when I popped out at about the 400 (metres) I thought he’s going to run a really nice second here and then he just found and found and kept finding. The scary thing is he’s so raw still, very dumb and immature and he’s got a lot more improvement there but I’ll take that- that was awesome.”
Big few weeks: “He does like to lay in a touch so I pulled the whip through, he wasn’t that bad today though, he was in the zone today and as soon as he got next to Veight he wanted to go away from him, it’s just been weird these past few weeks. This is really cool.”
Drawing well: “He looks like he’s got class, he’s talented, but he just seems like when he hits the front he wants to step in, wants to lay in and I just needed to time the run perfectly but when the draws came out and I got four, it was going to be a beautiful run for the horse and that’s the difference between winning and losing, in these races you’ve got to give him the perfect runs and he got the perfect one today.”
Beaten Jockeys:
Craig Williams (Riff Rocket): “He ran really well again. He was not as shape as what he was first-up, but he’s in for some good races over longer distances now.”
Damian Lane (Veight): “He’s run another great race. He doesn’t know how to run a poor one. He jumps and gives himself a chance. He was in a great position, he sprinted well, but unfortunately on the day, Southport Tycoon sprinted home sharper.”
Mark Zahra (King Colorado): “We were back in a slowly run race and I just failed to quicken when they did.”
Luke Currie (Apulia): “He made nice ground, so he was good from right back.”
Steven Parnham (Zipaway): “He travelled a bit keen midrace and I couldn’t quite comeback and get some cover. I thought he was a bit disappointing when he came off the bit before he probably should have.”
Josh Parr (Cap Ferrat): “He’s in really good shape. He had no luck here today and I’d suggest he’s in for a good showing next time out.”
Jordan Childs (The Pendragon): “He just felt a bit flat. I definitely think he’s better than that.”
Daniel Stackhouse (Run Harry Run): “He was a bit disappointing. I don’t think he’s come up this preparation.”
John Allen (Sunsets): “He was OK late first-up and should take good improvement from it.”
Jye McNeil (Verdad): “Honest run at this level. Maybe looking for a little bit further now.”
Blake Shinn (Snow Patrol): “He just raced a little bit flat today second-up. He’s a better horse than that.”
Ben Melham (Otago): “He’s a nice horse that’s going to make the grade. He’s just not seasoned enough. He will when the penny drops with him he’ll be a good horse and be more than up to this company, but he’s not there yet.”
Ethan Brown (Hey Fat Cat): “Good effort. I think his prep has probably caught up with him. Nice horse but just lacked a bit of brilliance at the end.”
Michael Dee (Quintessa): “Great effort. Kept finding the line nicely and that will hold her in good stead to step out to 2000 (metres).
Fred Kersley (Vieste): “Just outclassed and from the half-mile he wanted to over do it a touch.”