3 minute read
Electing to take up the front, Funstar controlled the 2019 Flight Stakes at Randwick on Saturday and won with ease.
Chris Waller made it win number 104 at the top level.
It's the @cwallerracing and @mcacajamez show @royalrandwick today! Funstar wins the Group 1 Flight Stakes at just her 5th start! pic.twitter.com/iJe0ThuTzb
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 5, 2019
Winning Trainer: Chris Waller
On the filly: "She is a talent. We've known what we've had and we've just carefully placed her. We learnt off previous horses we've had in the stable. Pushing on from a winter preparation. She so deserved this win today for the owners."
On the plan pre-race: "She settled. We didn't want to over complicate things. She is a professional horse that did a few little things wrong. She is the real deal. It was her first G1 but won't be last G1."
On the rest of the Spring: "We were in the same position with a similar horse a few years ago. She ended up being a very good horse for the stable. Think it would be hard to break my belief, looking after them and respecting her age. She has been basically in since June but I'll have a talk to the owners. She could go to the Spring Champion or the Thousand Guineas. We look after the horse and they will look after you. If I have my way we will see her in the Autumn."
On winning G1 No 104: "It's been a great ride. I was speaking to some young people before the races. Telling them how quickly things can grow. You might think you are treading water, only a few wins here and there. I've watched Cox Plates and Doncasters and Epsoms from Kembla, Newcastle or from home in NZ. You get your opportunity and things can change at a rapid pace."
Winning Jockey: James McDonald
On the filly: "She was so happy out in front. She was on a nice long loose reign, my legs got a rest she wasn't pulling, she is a super filly, a star in the making, and it's a privilege to be part of it.
On the run: "I was unaware of where all the other horses were, my main job was to focus on my filly and get her into a rhythm, I started at the 600m, Chris wrote the instructions on my hand there were that many."
On comparisons to Youngstar: "I enjoy riding her and she gives me a good buzz. Her sister won a Group One, so they are equal at the moment, but she has plenty of improvement, she's a brute of a thing."
Beaten Jockeys:
Kerrin McEvoy (Probabeel): "Ran well, ground probably a little bit softer than last time might have just gone against her a little bit, but she still ran a gallant race."
Jess Taylor (Girls Are Ready): "Bit disappointing, she had a lovely run, just not quite up to these."
Jason Collett (St Covet's Spirit): "Did a bit wrong the first half of the race, but did work through the line, her racing manners just need to improve."
Jay Ford (Foxborough): "Super, obviously she lacked the class of the first two, she ran a very important third for her broodmare career. She was a bit disappointing first up, but off the back of that, she's back on track."
Andrew Adkins (Our Girl Sniti): "She travelled well, worked up to them at the 300m, but was just found wanting late.
