Find out what the jockeys made of their mounts after the Group 3 $250,000 Arrowfield Breeders’ Plate (1000m) at Royal Randwick.
Rachel King (King Kirk): “He did everything right at the trials, first day out, and being educated at the Waterhouse and Bott stable you know he’s only going to come on from that again and be really rock-hard and ready to go today. He showed a really good turn of foot there.
“It was quick (pace) but not silly. He was a little bit above himself today, just switched on a bit more knowing what he was doing, and I had to take a little bit of a pull out of the gates just to get him to relax. But he’s smart. Once he found a bum he really relaxed, got in a great rhythm, and I knew when he got that bit of space and changed leads and balanced up, which he did at the top of the rise, he was going to be tough late. And he proved too good for them today.
“He’s smart. He’s got a brain to go with the talent, which is nice to see. Not many two-year-olds would do that first start. He was a little bit revved today, he knew what it was about, he switched on from the trials, but I loved the way he came back under me, relaxed, took a nice deep breath around the corner, and I knew he was going to be strong late. He really deserved that.
“There’s plenty more to come. He got past the horses on his inside and wandered a touch. He’s still learning how to really put them away. So he’s going to go out and strengthen up, and be bigger and stronger.”
King Kirk wins the Breeders’ Plate
Nash Rawiller (Tempestuous): “He is a lovely colt. We got a lovely cart up behind the leader. What I liked about him was the way he really attacked the line the last 50m. We were very green and out on his feet at the 100m but the last 50m he was still picking himself up. I think he will be around Slipper time. He’s a nice horse.”
Tim Clark (North England): “Excellent performance. He is a really nice colt. Going to win plenty of races.”
Dylan Gibbons (Hidden Motive): “He has gone fantastic. Copped a squeeze early and put him off his game a bit. Loved the way he finished off.”
Reece Jones (Ozimozzi): “Probably just had enough. Showed speed early but couldn’t sustain it when the rest of them quickened.”
Kerrin McEvoy (Raging Force): “Just hung a bit left today. He didn't do it in the trials. He was on the outside of the group today. He can improve off that.”
James McDonald (Tuscany): “Lovely colt. His time is not right now. It will be after Christmas.”
Tommy Berry (Valedictorian): “Copped interference half way around. Took the wind out of him. He’s done a good job.”
Check out the replays and results from TAB Epsom Day at Royal Randwick