Find out what the jockeys made of their mounts after the Group 1 $1,000,000 TAB Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick.
James McDonald (Fangirl): “She's a great mare, love her to bits. Just ridden a bit quieter today than what we did last time. Tried to win last start and she ran well, but back to mares’ grade, it was looking pretty good.
“She's quick, she’s got a lethal 400m, but not 405m.
“I thought I'd be (back) there, because last time I drove her up, today I wasn't going to do that and so I was always going to be curled up somewhere, and I was just going to have to pray that it would open up.
“Sometimes when you just let it happen before trying to make it happen, it can be in your favour. I actually went out there with the mindset, she was a 10 to 1 chance, and rode her like that.”
Fangirl wins the Queen Of The Turf
Jason Collett (Stefi Magnetica): “A bit unlucky. Blocked for a run at the top of the straight. By the time we got out we just didn’t have the momentum.”
Nash Rawiller (Atishu): “She was very honest. Today is her last run which is a shame. She showed all her fighting qualities once again. To be honest the winner was able to muscle us out of the way at the 300m. Had I been able to make it a bit closer toward the finish I would have been looking at the film for a protest. As good as ever.”
Josh Parr (Amelia's Jewel): “Travelled well enough to show a better turn of foot than she did today.”
Jay Ford (Lekvarte): “She is going great racing in a great vein of form. Won well the other day and taken on the top-liners here. Acquitted herself well.”
Declan Bates (Grinzinger Belle): “She has run a good race. Tried to stretch them from the 600m. Didn’t do enough to put them away. A few quickened by us in the straight. Stuck to her task well.”
Blake Shinn (Coeur Volante): “She was honest. Would be better back in trip. Good run.”
Tyler Schiller (Our Gold Hope): “I thought it was a good run. Probably better at 1800/2000m where she doesn’t run into these sharp horses. Showed last start that she is up to the grade. Didn’t get the ideal run in transit.”
Jamie Melham (Sounds Of Heaven): “The step up in grade but also the track was too firm for her today.”
Craig Williams (Quickster): “I thought she had the right draw, the gear with blinkers on. Gave me a beautiful run throughout. Once I placed her pressure against these really top line mares she was found wanting on face value.”
Tommy Berry (Lazzura): “So proud of her. She has been beaten by some very good mares and Stefi a Doncaster winner. Beaten the rest comfortably. Hopefully they retire soon. She can be there on her own would be nice.”
Ethan Brown (Another Prophet): “She got a bit keen. Probably the run she had she was entitled to drop out. I’m not disappointed.”
Check out the replays and results from Day 2 of The Star Championships at Royal Randwick>/big>