3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes after Vilana claims the Group 2 The Star Moreton Cup at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Race Result:
1st: Vilana (James Cummings/James McDonald) - $3.40F
2nd: Mazu (Joseph Pride/Jamie Kah) - $6.50
3rd: Jigsaw (Cindy Alderson/Nash Rawiller) - $19
Winning Time: 1:09.40 Last 600m: 34.38
Margins: 3.5L x neck
It’s the @mcacajamez show at Eagle Farm!
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 8, 2024
Vilana gives him 5 winners for the day with an easy win in the G2 Moreton Cup!@BrisRacingClub @JamesCummings88 @godolphin pic.twitter.com/wO9zeeQoUW
Winning Trainer: James Cummings
"The Stradbroke has always been a desirable goal for Vilana, he was beautifully placed in the set weights and penalties today and we felt he had a lot of hidden merit to his run in the BRC Sprint. It's exciting to see him loom up and win a race like this so easily. I was trying to keep a lid on him in the last 200 metres, because he needs have a big of gas left in the tank for the Stradbroke. We liked the horse in the race two years ago as a three-year-old, and now that he's been gelded this preparation he's been flying. A couple of things haven't quite gone his way, but third-up he was bang on and is now on track for the Stradbroke in seven days. He was a rank outsider a week ago and we were struggling to find a jockey, but I think Tim Clark will be happy he got on the front foot and secured the ride."
"We know what we're doing with him, he's going so well that we just stick to the routine. Provided he pulls up well, we'll have him in good shape for the race. He's a dynamic late bloomer into the race given the form he carries into it, he's going to be a real X-factor."
Winning Jockey: James McDonald
"I've qualified two horses for the Straddie today, and can't get on either of them! Both are really good horses for that sort of race, they're down in the weights and if it's a fast run race I'm sure they'll produce the goods."
"He exploded and gave me a beautiful feel. The race panned out perfectly and he's been promising that sort of performance. He's a beauty to ride."
"It was a very good performance and it's difficult to split them, but Yellow Brick at 51 kilos has got to be a really good chance. He gave me an excellent feel so there's not much between them, I'll sit on the fence."
