Find out what the jockeys made of their mounts after the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.
Craig Williams (Mr Brightside): “I went out and walked the track before that race and I felt it’s not going to be a disadvantage to him if he sits wider rather than having the rail. I thought I had two options and the horse rewarded me with the decision I made and he’s really tough, and it’s a very good race and I just loved the way that he loves to stick his head out front, pinned back his ears. He had no favours uneconomically, on the track I don’t think it was too bad.”
Luke Nolen (I Wish I Win): “Terrific. He blended into the race lovely after an economical run. When the chips were down he peaked a little, but he’s right where we want him for six weeks time.”
Damien Oliver (Alligator Blood): “He ran really well. He had a nice run outside the leader. He gave me a great kick and they collared him late. It was a good first-up run.”
Harry Coffey (Nonconformist): “Nice return from him. He worked through the line well late. It was a bit sharp for him over the 1400 metres.”
Michael Dee (Aegon): “He didn’t quicken up like he did last start. So maybe he was a little flat second-up and maybe he will be better third-up.”
Arron Lynch (Western Empire): “Back to his old tricks of stepping slow. On the plus side he did settle really well and getting out further it might bring him on.”
Jordan Childs (Bandersnatch): “He ran super. He landed in a good spot. He had every chance and finished his race off well.”
Ethan Brown (Duke De Sessa): “Terrific run. They just dropped him when they sprinted. He’s a horse that is best over further and today late, suggests he’s in for a good prep when he gets out in trip.”
Mark Zahra (Osipenko): “He ran really well. They were a bit sharp for him, but get him over a mile, it will help.”
Jye McNeil (Bank Maur): “Very happy with him working towards a bit more ground.”
Jamie Kah (Amenable): “He should have finished a lot closer. He actually slipped coming out of the gates and lost a lot of ground, but his work late was really good.”
Blake Shinn (Princess Grace): “She was excellent in defeat. She had a nice run and got beaten by, do we call him, is he a champion, Mr Brightside with his record now. She challenged strongly. We had to go back to maybe the worst part of the track which I didn’t want to but it was the option that I had to take. She kicked strongly when I went there and only narrowly got beaten. There is plenty of upside for her. She’s got a big Group 1 ahead of her.”
Damian Lane (Annavisto): “Unfortunately not her day today. She led really well and travelled well, but just didn’t find enough under pressure.”
John Allen (Steinem): “A little disappointing. She did get tired late and they were a little sharp over 1400 (metres), so no doubt she will take improvement.”