Find out what the jockeys made of their mounts after the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington.
Winning jockey: “First of all, thank you to Mr Peters and his family. They were backing me from the get-go even when I put in a bit of an iffy one a couple of starts ago.
“It is really nice to get the job done. He was putting in those good runs without getting the job done so I really like to get it done for him.”
On the suitable surface: “What might have brought us unstuck last start was the firmer deck so good cut out of it today, I think think it was quite as heavy as I initially thought. It (the track) rode really well. He loved it.
“To the Leek family, they’ve prepared him really well. He’s back being edgy today. I like this version of him. I like him when he’s up and abot, throwing his head. I like this version of him.”
Jamie Melham (Half Yours): “He ran well. I just think he’s definitely looking for the Caulfield Cup distance.”
Craig Williams (Sir Delius): “When you’re in the position that you are and riding a horse like him, we always just expect him to turn up and dominate races. I think there’s got to be a lot of weight and emphasis put on the face that it is a heavy track today. I don’t think he got through the track. I don’t think he was at home plus he is also chasing a really hot speed. So, the winner was very good today but very hard fit. I just felt he might benefit from that run being a gruelling run rather than being in his prime. Most importantly he comes through the race well. I felt that everything was fine out there. Hopefully get on a firmer surface form him and he has the run under his belt.”
Harry Coffey (Light Infantry Man): “Gee he went good, didn’t he? He was very brave and we just threw the reins at him and let him gallop. He thrived in that sort of scenario. I was waiting for them to come but he was really brave, fought on, and the main thing is he’s pulled up well, so he is in the zone.”
Damian Lane (Aeliana): “Super. The race shape just wasn’t ideal for her for where she’s at in her preparation. After a tough run today, she’s going to be peaking next start.”
Ben Melham (Asterix): “Struggled in the ground and then didn’t respond to my riding.”
Ethan Brown (Zahrann): “Race shape against today.”
Blake Shinn (Ohope Wins): “Ticking over nicely for the Cups. He’s going well.”
Mark Zahra (Middle Earth): “He chipped away alright. They sprinted past him and he was coming back on the line.”
Jye McNeil (Buckaroo): “Buckaroo was disappointing in a really high tempo race today. Hopefully he pulls up ok.”
Jordan Childs (She’s A Hustler): “She just struggled in that wet ground. On top of the ground, she has a bit more confidence but on heavy ground, it dents her confidence a little bit and she’s not able to finish off her races. I think back on a dry track next start she’ll go a lot better.”
Michael Dee (Saint George): “Just had to get too far back from the gate and then just struggled from then on.”
Lachlan Neindorf (Kings Valley): “Good for further. He’s done probably the best he can in a race like that.”
