Winning Horse: Manzoice (Aus)
Winning Trainer: Chris Waller (Jo Taylor speaking)
Coming from Sydney: “Chris has got such fantastic systems in order, it takes such a tem effort to get horses to this stage, so again we just got him over here and we’re so thankful. We got him to settle into our routine and you just keep them happy and keep them ticking over and once again Chris has shown what a master he is with travelling these horses.”
On the backup: “You just want to make sure that they’re looking for a bit of feed, wanting to dig in to the bowl and just keeping their body nice and supple, taking them for a few light workouts, we know the fitness is there so it’s not like we’re going to change anything in seven days- especially not with what Chris sends you.”
Compared to the Caulfield Cup: “There was the same amount of jumping up and down, but again Micky just rode him terrific, he’s riding with so much confidence, he’s been working so hard for a few years now so it’s well deserved.”
From Charlie Duckworth on Channel 10
“Terrific performance from the horse and it’s been the plan all the way through and things haven’t gone his way with wide draws and wet tracks but we’ve stuck solid with the plan that we set out to do.
“Beautiful ride from Micky Dee. It was obviously looking like he was going to be a bit unlucky on the turn but he kept persevering, trying to get out and he knuckled down really well in the last 100 metres.”
Dee timed it to perfection: “He really did. He’s a horse who I think will improve more with racing. He’s still a bit doughy mentally and doesn’t really know what he’s all there for which is why we’ve got the winkers on which was the exact same gear that Preferment wore when he won the Derby for Chris a few years ago. Maybe it is the magic winkers that got the job done today..
“Terrific for the Flannery’s who own the horse and who just just stepped into ownership in the last couple of years. They’ve been loyal to us and been investing a good sum of money.
Winning the Derby: “It’s a massive thing. Obviously there’s a Derby in different states but this is the first one and it’s Derby Day – the race day is named after the race. It’s the feature, it’s the grand final and to pull it off is quite remarkable really.”
Winning Jockey: Michael Dee
“It’s unbelievable. I really have to thank Chris Waller and his team. Once again, he’s presented this horse here in tip top shape.
“Walking around the yard I thought he’s certainly a Derby horse. He’s just so calm, got such a big stride on him and it all panned out. He was very strong.”
On the run: “I was very happy early and then the tempo came out of the race and it just got a bit tricky from the mile onwards when we were getting pushed around by horses inside and out.
“We were just starting to edge toward the outside and he really let down strong when we got into the clear.”
“He’s a big strong horse and he was able to buffet his way out and I always was confident he was going to be strong the last furlong too.”
His own spring so far: “If you said to me before this spring that I’d have two major Group 1s coming up, I’d probably laugh. It is pretty surreal and hopefully it can continue.”
Compared to Caulfield Cup win: “This bloke probably had to do it a bit tougher, he didn’t get that position where he didn’t get bumped throughout… he’s done a great job.”
Beaten Jockeys:
James McDonald (Sharp ‘N’ Smart): “He went brilliant, just got a little bit lost in front.”
Craig Williams (Berkeley Square): “He’s run really well. He got into a lovely spot from the barrier, but when the race changed complexion from th 600 I just had to wiggle and move and hope for a bit more luck to keep his momentum going, we didn’t quite get it and he’s run really well under the circumstances.”
Damian Lane (Mr Maestro): “Disappointing. Not to be misunderstood, he’s run a big race, but just how good an order he was in and the good drag I got into the race I really thought I was the winner at the 600.”
William Buick (Pericles): “He ran well, just probably doesn’t quite get the trip at this stage of his career.”
Mark Zahra (Grand Pierro): “He ran as good as he could.”
Jye McNeil (Foujita San): “I didn’t want to lead but got left there and he was gallant considering.”
Harry Coffey (Skyphios): “He did a bit wrong early and over-raced and it cost him in the last 300 (metres).”
Daniel Moor (Muramasa): “He ran well.”
Brett Prebble (Fearless Knight): “He’s got ability and you’ll see it when he’s gelded.”
Damien Oliver (Berardino): “Ran really well.”
Dean Yendall (Distrustful Award): “Just needs to switch off better.”
Liam Riordan (Highland Blaze): “He’s probably had enough and he’s not up to that.”
John Allen (King’s Crossing): “Just wasn’t up to it today.”
Josh Parr (Lehndorff): “Raced too keenly.”
Ben Melham (Aberfeldie Boy): “Should have gone close.”
