Find out what the jockeys made of their mounts after the Group 1 $1m The Star Australian Oaks (2400m) at Royal Randwick.
Damian Lane (El Patroness): “It worked out well for me because it was a more genuine tempo than I thought there would be on paper and it suited her. It helped her get into a good rhythm and she was too strong at the end. I traveled so sweetly, got in between a couple on the corner and she just took me through the run. You’re never quite sure here at Randwick because it’s a long way down to the winning post, especially on heavy ground, but she always felt like she was sustaining her gallop.
“(Trainer) Danny (O’Brien) and the ownership group and the rest of the stable at home have always had a high opinion of her and they thought she might be a VRC Oaks horse and she didn’t quite get there. It’s good to have her here in good form today and do the job that everyone thought she was capable of.”
El Patroness wins the Star Australian Oaks
William Pike (Gypsy Goddess): “Really good effort. She handled the change of tactics really well. Just found one that handled the conditions a bit better and zipped a bit better off the spot than us. Game effort to hold onto second.”
Robbie Dolan (Gin Martini): “Very proud of her. She jumped really well. Set a nice tempo in front. Gave a good kick.”
Brenton Avdulla (Hinged): “Tried hard. Felt a bit flat with me there before the bend. She rallied hard. A great prep for her.”
Mark Zahra (Biscayne Bay): “Ran well. Tried hard.”
Hugh Bowman (Honeycreeper): “Tried really hard. True staying test on a back up was too much.”
Damien Oliver (Le Villi): “She ran really well. Was finding the line.”
Nash Rawiller (Hope In Your Heart): “She is very honest. Ground was against her today.”
James McDonald (Pink Ivory): “‘Going to be a nice filly.”
Alysha Collett (Charity Spirit): “Had a tough run.”
John Allen (Secret Glamour): “I thought she acquitted herself quite well and ran as well as she could.”
Fred Kersley (Commando Drift): “A bit outclassed.”
Grant Buckley (Velvet Lady): “She’s come a long way in a short career. Probably didn’t get through that ground today.”
Craig Williams (Mauricently): “Unfortunately we didn’t get to see the best of her today.”
Brock Ryan (Youthfull): “Tried really hard. Probably six months off.”
Check out the replays and results from Day 2 of The Star Championships at Royal Randwick