Read what each of the jockeys said about their rides in the 2024 Champions Mile at Flemington.
Craig Williams (Mr Brightside) On his combination with Mr Brightside: “He’s had a great preparation. He won the Makybe Diva Stakes here. The Grand Final was the Cox Plate, he ran fourth but ran a phenomenal race. They’ve come here today for the Champions Mile, with all these horses, they’ve gone for blinkers for the first time and he was the right product today. So credit to all their team. And of course, Mr B, he’s got no BS in him and he’s just a real competitor. He did all the running and fighting today. Thanks buddy. ”
Mark Zahra (Antino): “He ran a great race, had a great turn of foot, he (Mr Brightside) just sort of come out nowhere on the inside. He’s a good horse Mr Brightside.”Nash Rawiller (My Oberon): “Obviously he didn’t put his best foot forward today. He travelled in a beautiful spot, just didn’t give the kick that he normally does and really there was no need to knock him around after that. He didn’t quite turn up today and he might have had enough.”
James McDonald (Fangirl): “She was super, she really put her best foot forward and ran really well.”
Chad Schofield (Stefi Magnetica): “She’s run a terrific race. We had a beautiful run, we got the gap at the right time, she sprinted and fought very well. I thought to get beat a length by them is very good considering she’s a horse on the way up.”
Damian Lane (Amelia’s Jewel): “She ran great, just probably a touch close to that hot speed. She presented really well but just a little bit of a sitting duck and it’s taken a few good ones to go past her, so I thought she was brave and she was honest.”
Dylan Browne Mcmonagle (New Energy): “He ran well, travelled in the run strong, they didn’t go overly quick – I thought we’d go a bit quicker, which was going to suit my fella – but I had to check 300 metres out and go again but h’s found the line good ad hit it hard so plenty of promise there and hoping he’ll keep improving.”
Ben Allen (Pinstriped): “He got quite wide. It was a quality field, he still ran super but I feel like he’s better around Caulfield.”
Josh Parr (Von Hauke): “He actually performed quite well. I switched back to the inside, which probably wasn’t the right thing to do, but he finished the race off well.”
Michael Dee (Broadsiding): “He absolutely flew the gates today, so with the way he jumped ad with the weight I thought we were better off to roll forward. He travelled lovely, but just probably couldn’t handle that pressure today.”
Ben Melham (Pride Of Jenni): “Unfortunately she’s just had a little bleed.”