What the beaten jockeys had to say from Flemington on Champions Day and Five Diamonds Day at Rosehill.

FLEMINGTON

Group 1 - Kennedy Champions Mile (3yo+ WFA - 1600m)

1st: Pride Of Jenni (Declan Bates/Ciaron Maher & David Eustace) - $13
2nd: Mr Brightside (Craig Williams/Ben, Will & JD Hayes) - $3
3rd: Alligator Blood (Tim Clark/Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott) - $4.20

Winning Time: 1:34.75       Last 600m: N/A

Margins: 1¼L x 1¼L

Beaten Jockey comments:

Craig Williams (Mr Brightside): "He's a star, isn't he, we just didn't win today. His performance was amazing, don't take any credit away from the eventual winner, she was tough and dominant, Vo Rogue-style, but when I straightened up I thought I was under a lot of pressure and it just shows you how good my horse is. Mr Brightside is such a good, tenacious horse. Twelve months later (ago) he wouldn't be able to do what he did today, so it's really exciting to see how he comes back in the autumn, or maybe they'll find another race for him. The Hayes boys have got such a good handle on this horse, he looks fabulous, he's performing fantastic but unfortunately the only thing we didn't do today was win."

Tim Clark (Alligator Blood): "He was very brave. He got within a length of the winner and then probably just felt the effects of a long prep. The last little bit he was out on his feet, but he's done a wonderful job."

Damien Oliver (The Inevitable): "He had a good run, ran a great race, just got a little crowded for room in the straight but if I was going better I would have been able to push through it. He's run a huge race, finished right between Fangirl and Mr Brightside, so great effort."

John Allen (Bankers Choice): "I think he ran OK, a little bit outclassed but I think he's going well enough for the right race."

Blake Shinn (Victoria Road): "He sat third in the run, travelled nice, when the pressure went on he was just found wanting a touch."

James McDonald (Fangirl): "Good run, she's had a great preparation and she'll come back good."

 

Group 1 - Darley Champions Sprint (3yo+ WFA - 1200m)

1st: Imperatriz (Oppie Bosson/Mark Walker) - $2.15F
2nd: Buenos Noches (Blake Shinn/Matthew Smith) - $14
3rd: In Secret (James McDonald/James Cummings) - $3.50

Winning Time: 1:09.08         Last 600m: N/A

Margins: 1/2L x ¾L

Beaten jockey comments:

Tyler Schiller (Front Page): "He was terrific. I still think he's a bit better NSW way around a bend, but it was an enormous run."

Blake Shinn (Buenos Noches): "He ran really, really bravely, a great second. The winner was too good on the day. He put his hand up and showed he is one of the better sprinters around."

Damien Oliver (Lofty Strike): "He had a good run, but he's just not letting go like he did last preparation. I can't put my finger on why, but he's just not going as well as last prep."

Ben Melham (Star Patrol): "He had an off day. He seemed to pull up fine, but he went ordinary. He's a lot better than that."

Jye McNeil (Airman): "We didn't have the right run in transit, unfortunately. He was just a bit flat."

Craig Williams (Bella Nipotina): "Unfortunately she drew the wrong spot today. She jumped nicely and I thought the best option was to get in behind and cover her up, but then we're standing off, back last. I think she would have run the fastest sectionals from the 400 (metres) to the 100, but that doesn't mean you can win a race from where she was and from the gate."

James McDonald (In Secret): "She's run extremely well. She tried her heart out. She gave her all."

Kerrin McEvoy (Espiona): "She ran a great race. We got a bit of a squeeze after the jump and then I was able to get across to the outside rail. She handled the straight fantastic and was closest on the line. There's options for her down the straight in the future."

Mitchell Aitken (Asfoora): "Just raced a bit flat and didn't see out the 1200 (metres)."

Michael Dee (C'est Magique): "She ran as well as she could."

 

Group 1 - TAB Champions Stakes (3yo+ WFA - 2000m)

1st: Atishu (James McDonald/Chris Waller) - $8.50
2nd: Duais (Damien Oliver/Edward Cummings) - $7
3rd: Young Werther (Billy Egan/Danny O'Brien) - $51

Winning Time: 2:02.01      Last 600m: N/A

Margins: 1¾L x ½ Neck

Beaten jockey comments:

 

Jamie Kah (Zaaki): "He ran great. It was a muddling run race for him. Jamie Spencer's horse led and went to the front, it would have made it easier, but he went inside, outside the whole time. He just needed a nice smooth run, but he ran well."

Kerrin McEvoy (Huetor): "He's run really well. We just had to come back from the gate and then we just rode the rail. We had to give them a start but he did his best work up the running."

Billy Egan (Young Werther): "He ran super. He just didn't have a lot of luck coming into the straight, no fault of his own, and then he did a really good job rebound off that and pick himself up and get to the line."

Jamie Spencer (West Wind Blows): "He had to enter the barriers a couple of times and I'm not sure that helped. He was slow away and overall was disappointing."

Ben Melham (Zeyrek): "He ran OK but he's probably suited by a drop back in class."

Ben Allen (Pinstriped): "Little bit disappointing, but he feels to me that he might be at the end of his prep."

Blake Shinn (Buckaroo): "He ran really well. I loved the feel he gave me, this horse. His second run in Australia, he ran fifth. He acquitted himself really well and he has a bright future."

Michael Dee (Montefilia): "I feel at this stage of her prep, the 2000 (metres) might be a bit sharp for her, but I felt she rounded the race off."

Damien Oliver (Duais): "She went great. She had a good run, but the winner was just a bit too good for us today."

Mark Zahra (Prowess): "She just battled today, no turn of foot."

 

 

ROSEHILL

Five Diamonds (5yo SW&P - 1800m)

1st: Unspoken (P & P Snowden/T Sherry) - $7.50
2nd: Zoumon (G Waterhouse & A Bott/R King) - $21
3rd: Detonator Jack (C Maher & D Eustace/J Collett) - $11

Winning Time: 1:49.93 Last 600m: 33.80

Margins: Head x Neck

Beaten jockey comments:

 

Zac Lloyd (Converge): "Much improved effort from this horse. Travelled well throughout and was game to the line."

Koby Jennings (Palmetto): "Got an easy run from the good gate. Switched off nicely. When the tempo quickened they did it very quickly and got left flat footed."

Sam Clipperton (Antino): "To me it seemed he was a bit flat. Was warm and sweaty before the start but seemed like he didn't have a zip in his legs."

Adam Hyeronimus (Hoo Ya Mal): "Was very happy throughout the race. Down the running he didn't really like the firm track. Wasn't that comfortable on it and very one paced."

Brett Prebble (Jimi Hendrix): "Didn't get a backside, switched on and never really dropped the bridle at any stage."

Nash Rawiller (Democracy Manifest): "He is an old marvel. Holding his form very well. Hasn't gone backwards at all and still produced."

Josh Parr (Hope In Your Heart): "She went well considering the lack of tempo and the dash home from the 600m."

Rachel King (Zoumon): No comment

Jason Collett (Detonator Jack): "Attacked the line well. Leaders got away from us."

Tommy Berry (Waterford): "That was just cruel. Haven't been in a big race like that for a while where they have gone that slow. He's reeled off some pretty good sectionals. Very proud of him today."

Dylan Gibbons (Regal Lion): "Stayer resuming. That far back, slow tempo and dash home. They left him for dead."

Chad Schofield (Fawkner Park): "Touch disappointing."

Regan Bayliss (St Lawrence): "He was in a sticky spot but is learning to go the Sydney way, just on his wrong leg the whole race."

 

Group 2 - James Squire Hot Danish Stakes (3yo+ F&M SW - 1400m)

1st: Roots (C Waller/T Berry) - $3.20
2nd: Call Di (G Ryan & S Alexiou/N Rawiller) - $3.70
3rd: Finepoint (C Waller/Z Lloyd) - $13

Winning Time: 1:21.68 Last 600m: 34.28

Margins: 2¾L x Neck

Beaten jockey comments:

Jason Collett (Royal Merchant): "A bit disappointing. Lobbed into a good spot but didn't have the turn of foot to finish it."

Zac Lloyd (Finepoint): "Fantastic first up effort. A tough run being three wide but the horse was in a good rhythm. She finished off accordingly. Happy with her."

Nash Rawiller (Call Di): "She went really well. Found the winner a bit good on the day. She will more than likely have a good break now."

Jay Ford (Dalchini): "She was honest enough but the small field, no tempo probably doesn't suit her style." 

Chad Schofield (Mirra View): "Racing against that level she found it a bit tough today. Might want a little break."

Regan Bayliss (Russian Conquest): "Probably wasn't suited to the slow tempo."

 

Inglis Golden Gift (2yo SW - 1100m)

1st: Shangri La Express (G Waterhouse & A Bott/R Bayliss) - $2.10F
2nd: Rue De Royale (T & C McEvoy/C Schofield) - $8.50
3rd: Volatile (P & P Snowden/T Berry) - $14

Winning Time: 1:03.95 Last 600m: 34.63

Margins: 1¼L x ¾L

Beaten jockey comments:

Chad Schofield (Rue De Royale): "Very good run. Raw but very classy."

Nash Rawiller (Lamentum): "Nice horse - wide gate and bit soon."

Dylan Gibbons (Scampi): "First half of the race worked out beautifully and would have liked to have stayed near the inside but couldn't do so. Hard to pick them up from there. He's gone enormous."

Tommy Berry (Volatile): "Did everything right today. Got into a nice rhythm. Would have liked more room earlier but in saying that the winner was pretty dominant."

Adam Hyeronimus (Climactic): "Very nice colt."

Tom Sherry (That's Outstanding): "I copped a bad bump but he's just not quite ready yet."

Brock Ryan (Thunderous): "He ran OK. Just needs to strengthen up a bit in time."

Koby Jennings (War Council): "Finished to the line very well. Just needs time."

Jason Collett (Miss Judas): "She was keen early. Had a nice drag into it but wasn't able to finish it off."

Jay Ford (Art's Alive): "She ran OK. Very inexperienced with a lot to learn."

Rachel King (Betta Being Single): "She had to do a lot of work early and just probably stay the 11[00]m."

Reece Jones (Petawawa): "Nice improvement second up and starting to feel her shins a little bit. Looking for a little bit of a break."

Zac Lloyd (Trafalgar Square): "Fantastic run. She is only little but very mighty. She was very game to stay on as long as she did considering the amount of work she did early."