3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes after Estriella takes out the Group 2 Millennium Sprint at Caulfield on Saturday.
Race Result:
1st: Estriella (C Maher/B Melham) - $5.50
2nd: Rey Magnerio (R Griffiths & M d Kock/J McNeil) - $3.20 fav
3rd: Spacewalk (J Cummings/J Moreira) - $7.50
Winning Time: 58.46 Last 600m: N/A
Margins: Short Half Head x 1 length
Estriella holds on!
— Racing.com (@Racing) October 19, 2024
The 4YO mare carries 59kg & fends off the flying Rey Magnerio @cmaherracing pic.twitter.com/0pBL0U0clH
Winning Trainer: Ciaron Maher (stable representative Jack Turnbull speaking)
Back in grade here: "Yeah, she' s mixed it the best as we know. She was wide in the Moir and then she did a bit of work in the Manikato and it didn't work out. So we've reset, come back in trip, did well today. She's carried 59 (kilograms), soft track, it's not her go. It's fantastic for Kevin and Vicky (Payne, owners), group two win now. We can have a look at some major sprints at the end of the carnival."
Quick early: "We were open to where she would land. She was going to be forward, but I would love to see her follow something and be saved up. She's got a very dynamic turn of foot, but she also possesses a lot of gate speed. So just great to see her get back to some form. She deserves it, she's a very talented horse and I'm sure she'll do well next time."
Champions Sprint next: "100%, yeah. I'll have a discussion with Ciaron and Kevin, but I'd say likely that's the go."
Winning Jockey: Ben Melham
How the race unfolded: "She's a good mare, things probably haven't quite gone her way in group one company and she drew one which was a little concern the way the track's racing today and it was actually my intention to get a little cover if the race layout permitted but she flew out and I didn't want to take the lead away from her when she was able to lead comfortably. She was running good sections and held them all the way to the line, albeit she'd had enough on the line but good to see her back in the winner's circle."
Handled ground: "Yeah, she was no worries. Like I said, she's a keen enough going mare and obviously in the right yard. He had her nice and fresh back to the 1,000 today and she was too good."
