3 minute read
On her way to the Everest, Arcadia Queen started her career in Sydney with a win in the 2019 Theo Marks Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday.
Sitting only three lengths off them at the corner, Arcadia Queen eased out and ran the leaders down.
She has arrived!
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 14, 2019
Arcadia Queen looked truly magnificent as she kicked away under J-Mac to take out the Theo Marks Stakes @rosehillgardens. pic.twitter.com/uZw7q0S5yl
"SHE'S A STAR ALRIGHT" – James McDonald @mcacajamez talks to SKY's @bernadetecooper after winning the Theo Marks aboard the talented former WA mare Arcadia Queen @rosehillgardens. pic.twitter.com/xxYPw6sbxq
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 14, 2019
Winning Trainer: Chris Waller
On getting the mare to train: "Today gave me a bit of excitement about race day and just felt on edge a little bit because you've been given a horse like her to train. There's a bit pressure involved but I'm very grateful to get the opportunity to train her.
"She was sent over in great condition. We picked out a race to start her off in with a pretty ambitious second up run and it's worked out brilliantly."
"I felt a bit of pressure today for the first time in a few months. It was a good feeling to get that feeling back."
On his thoughts when he first saw her: "I saw a good tough horse that I could see would improve as she got into her work. They sent her over very early so we've had the whole prep to learn about her. We haven't pressed the button on her, I swear. She's certainly got a motor there."
On what he told owner Bob Peters: "Well I didn't want to get him too worked up and say too much because you're on a hiding to nothing. You've got a good horse sent to you, a Group 1 horse with big ambitions so I just said everything's gone to plan. He's a pleasure to train for."
On her Everest preparation: "I'll have a good chat to (Bob), he knows the horses better than me. Our plan was not to overrace her and I don't want to take the speed out of her because we've got an Everest over 1200m. I don't think she'll be running again but I'll have a chat to him."
Winning Jockey: James McDonald
On the mare: "She's a star alright. She's very push button, she knew it was race day today. She settled nicely in behind the leaders and gave her trademark turn of foot. She's beautiful to ride and I love how she pins the ears back and has a good crack - a bit like the horse I won this race on (Winx)."
On her improvement to come: "I've been watching Chris very closely over the last month with these good horses and he's just trying to peak them for the right day. He hasn't screwed this might mare down yet and there's plenty more to come."
On her preparation: "She's turned up in great order, she's just ticked along beautifully and never really been asked to do much at home. Chris and his team have plenty to play with."
Beaten Jockeys:
Kerrin McEvoy (Zousain): "He overraced which didn't give him a chance to get home."
Andrew Adkins (Volpe Veloce): "She jumped well. She just failed to get into a rhythm with me. Maybe she goes 1400m next start with Blinkers on. She might be better suited. She still got to the line okay."
Glyn Schofield (Tom Melbourne): "He didn't show much early speed first up this time. From that point he was always chasing the race."
Josh Parr (Deploy): "He was in it for a long time. The last 100m told on his fitness but it was a nice enough effort from him."
Tim Clark (Redouble): "I thought he ran particularly well. With the early tempo he settled back a pair further than I would have liked. I thought he rounded his race off nicely and he is going to take good improvement from the run."
Nash Rawiller (Gem Song): "I tried to get on Arcadia Queen's back but the stablemate (El Dorado Dreaming) beat me to it. He finished it off enormous. He is a horse going places."
Brenton Avdulla (El Dorado Dreaming): "I thought she ran okay first up. She's probably a little bit behind where she usually is. She just wants a bit of cut out of the ground too."
Tommy Berry (Trope): "You'll find it hard to find a better run than him today. He is in super order. His improvement from his first start to his second start was massive. He keeps drawing bad barriers. When he can draw a gate and possie (position) up midfield a little bit and not have to loop the field every time he is in for a great prep."
Glen Boss (Baller): "Not good enough."
