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Find out what the jockeys made of their mounts after the Group 1 $2,000,000 Bentley Australian Derby (2400m) at Royal Randwick.

John Allen (Hitotsu): “Very good, he never handled the ground. He was very lethargic out of the gates today and I didn’t want to boss him, just left him alone. I ended up getting a nice cart up behind (Forgot You), he just travelled well enough into it without ever really getting through the ground well. I gave him a squeeze around the corner and he picked up and hit the front a bit soon. Just his toughness, he just battled back and put them away again.”

“It probably just woke him up a bit and made him fight because Brenton Avdulla (on the second horse Benaud) definitely headed me outside me. I was surprised when he came off my back and probably put a good neck on me, but he’s just tough this horse he showed his fighting qualities. He really had to dig in to win the (Australian) Guineas and once again today. Very exciting future hopefully.”

“Definitely. As I said he never handled the ground, he never really picked up the bit today I had to kind of squeeze him along the whole way. But back on top of the ground hopefully he’ll be winning more good races.”

Hitotsu wins the Australian Derby at Royal Randwick

Brenton Avdulla (Benaud): “He gave me a great ride. I thought we were the winner at the 300m. Really proud of him. Fully credit to John and the team to have him spot on grand final day. Third last year, second this year, maybe next year.”

Hugh Bowman (Alegron): “I was delighted with him. Full credit to the team to get him here in such great order. The winner was too good.”

Mark Zahra (Forgot You): “Couldn’t get in from the gate and needs a softer run to get that trip.”

Nash Rawiller (Castlereagh Kid): “Travelled really well. I couldn’t pick up in the conditions.”

James McDonald (Regal Lion): “He didn’t really back up. He looked great and felt good though.”

Robbie Dolan (White Noise): “We had to get a long way back from the gate. He just never picked up.”

Tommy Berry (Character): “It was a bit too far for him the 2400m. Just back to the shorter ground.”

Jamie Kah (Can't Go Wong): “He was a bit disappointing. He had a good run and I thought he was going to get a run but never picked up in that ground.”

Josh Parr (Maurice's Medad): “Unfortunately I couldn’t get him to tuck his head at any stage outside the leader. He worked too hard.”

Craig Williams (Raging Bull): “Ran really well today. We were able to follow the winner and when they quickened, I didn’t have a horse to go with them.”

Chad Schofield (Elzamee): “Hates the ground.”

Tim Clark (Zoumon): “He was much better today. He was disappointing five days ago but he’s really turned that around.”

Shaun Guymer (Clyde): “Just didn’t settle for me today to finish the race off.”

William Pike (Footlights): “I was stuck in the slow going.”

Rachel King (Sea Treasures): “Really strong run up in company.”

Brock Ryan (Akahata): “He found that very tough and probably come to the end of his prep.”

Check out the replays and results from Day one of The Star Championships at Royal Randwick