Find out what the jockeys made of their mounts after the Group 1 $1,500,000 TAB Epsom (1600m) at Royal Randwick.
Top Ranked (Hugh Bowman): “I thought he (Brenton Avdulla) got the bob. I felt like it was a bob of the head margin. I felt like after the post I still had a margin on him, but on the line I wasn’t so confident. But there was a fair bit going on.”
“We’ve got a heavy track here, testing conditions for all horses and it was a solidly run event, which I really wasn’t predicting with the smaller Epsom field this year. But I thought that played into my horse’s favour.:
“I followed Brenton in the run, came out when I was ready and (trainer) Annabel (Neasham) has just done an amazing job with him to bring him back from a slight injury in the Chipping Norton. To bring him back to win at this level is a great training performance, but it’s no surprise because we know how good he is.”
Ellsberg (Brenton Advulla): “Half way up I thought Hughie was home and the closer we got to the line I knew I was coming strong and I thought on the post I got him. But racing is a funny thing. When I came back (to scale) I would’ve been shattered if my number didn’t come up and the longer we were here (waiting for a result) we both said to each other “I just hope for a deadheat”.”
“It’s a Group 1 race, I only picked the ride up on Wednesday. He wasn’t going to run so we got him in last minute. I didn’t think he was well in at the weight but he was still able to share in a Group 1, so it’s amazing.
Top Ranked and Ellsberg dead heat in the Epsom
Kerrin McEvoy (Hinged): “Great run by her. She is brave. Gave a good kick, fought hard but the others were that little bit stronger.”
Regan Bayliss (Nimalee): “Gallant effort from her. She just lacked a turn of foot compared to those who had softer runs. She has more in store for her this Spring.”
James McDonald (Icebath): “She ran well as always. Just Top Ranked left her flat footed and she just didn’t make up the ground. I was happy with her performance but still disappointed.”
Tommy Berry (Fangirl): “Wet track was a big concern going into it and played a big part today.”
Jason Collett (Kiku): “The mile at that tempo was too testing for her.”
Rachel King (Cross Talk): “Just raced very hard within himself early and didn’t finish off.”
Kathy O'Hara (Pippali): “Got really bogged down and hated it.”
Jay Ford (War Eternal): “Had a good run. He tried hard. Found a few better on the day.”