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Find out what the jockeys made of their mounts after the $160.000 NZB Spring Stakes (1600m) at Newcastle.

Dylan Gibbons (Festival Dancer): “That’s something I’ve always dreamed about as a kid these big moments. To do it here, I’ve got my grandparents in the stands. It’s unreal.

“I didn’t give her a typical ride I’d like, I rolled a bit more than I would have. Gave her a breather around the side. I just know from her last start win from the 700m I didn’t have a choice, she just towed me into it. I just thought we’ve got a light weight, you know what it’s like with fillies and mares in form they just fly and love their races.

I thought with the headwind I’d give them something to chase. She’s only little but she’s full of heart and so tough. I can’t be more thankful to the horse and Matty Smith because today’s a day I’ll never forget.”

Festival Dancer wins the Spring Stakes at Newcastle

Josh Parr (War Eternal): Fantastic effort, still and experienced horse and it’s onwards and upwards for him.

Tommy Berry (Arnaqueur): Great run, he had to defy all the moves going back in a slowly run race but he hit the line really well.

Nash Rawiller (Lease): Nice effort.

Jason Collett (Dufresne): He didn’t step away cleanly, I rode him quieter. He failed to find anything.

Tim Clark (Contributingfactor): He had a nice run but just didn’t go on with it today.

Kerrin McEvoy (Ironic Miss): Just needs a little bit further and maybe six months to strengthen up a bit more.

James McDonald (Loch Eagle): All a bit soon for him but a lovely horse.

Hugh Bowman (Kokoro): Superb effort.

Robbie Dolan (Red Boulevard): Disappointing.

Brock Ryan (Moon Stories): A good effort stepping up to much harder grade than he’s been in but acquitted himself very well. He’ll be a nice horse in the future.

Andrew Adkins (Holstein): It was a great run by him. Still a green horse, you can see on the head on in the straight he was all over the place when horses came up alongside him. He’ll be a better horse next prep.

Check out the replays and results from The Hunter day at Newcastle