Find out what the jockeys made of their mounts after the Group 1 $2,000,000 Moet & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick.
Josh Parr (El Castello): “Wow. That was thrilling, I tell you. The two went down the side, they took off and I just said, ‘no, not just yet my man, let’s just wait’. I was able to wait.
“We topped the hill and I just briefly started to let him go and his ears just slightly went different directions, he was waiting for some company. Henlein obviously came to him and he knuckled down and his last furlong was so strong. Incredible training performance and I’m so proud to be a part of it.”
El Castello wins the Spring Champion Stakes
Tommy Berry (Henlein): “Very proud of him. Got onto the winner’s back coming to the corner. I thought we had his measure half way down the straight. Full credit to the winner. He was too good today.”
Tom Sherry (Firm Agreement): “Super proud. Obviously had to go back from the wide gate. The amount of ground he made up off a slow tempo was something I was in awe of. He is a nice horse going forward.”
Jay Ford (Swiftfalcon): “He wasn’t able to close off. Settled well back from that gate. Tried to put him into the race prior the bend. He just failed to see out 2000m.”
Kerrin McEvoy (Due Calzini): “He just fired up a little bit with those blinkers on. Didn’t get into a nice rhythm for me so he can improve into next prep. He’s a nice big horse.”
Zac Lloyd (Flying Argento): “Just a bit outclassed there. I thought the pace they were going definitely wasn’t suiting my horse. I tried to get them going. Just outclassed.”
Sam Clipperton (Harlem Queen): “She ran terrific. Covered a bit of ground in the early stages. I was able to fold in one off. She found the line really well. Provided she pulls up well, I’m really confident going into an Oaks that she can be one of the ones, if not the one to beat.”
Chad Schofield (Rag Queen): “She kept finding the line. Her best furlong was her last one. She is a nice progressive staying filly.”
Jason Collett (Pleasure Artist): “Brave. Probably just found wanting the last part of the race.”
Andrew Adkins (Noises): “She went really well. Obviously got nice sectionals out in front. Got softened up a long way from home and I took my time the last little bit. Still very happy”
Check out the replays and results from Spring Champion Stakes Day at Royal Randwick