3 minute read

Trainer and jockey quotes after Portland Sky wins the Group 3 Red Anchor Stakes at Moonee Valley.

Race Result:

1st: Portland Sky (B Melham/M Laurie) - $4.60
2nd: Bella Nipotina (M Rodd/T Dabernig & B Hayes) - $3.80F
3rd: Valaquenta (M Zahra/J Cummings) - $5

Winning Time: 1:12.95 Last 600m: 36.74

Margins: ¾L x 1L

Portland Sky used his speed and the rail to win very nicely for @mattlaurierace at The Valley. pic.twitter.com/LxjPD5zYfa

— Racing.com (@Racing) October 24, 2020

Winning Trainer: Matt Laurie

"I felt like he's a group horse and we're going to strike a wet track at some point. I still don't think he handles it, to be honest, but very pleased obviously to get the win.

"From day dot, even breaking him in he just always felt like a quality horse and throughout this preparation he's continued to improve. I think he's going to keep doing that. We've got a really nice horse."

On backing up in the Coolmore next week: "We're not nominated so we'll see how he pulls up. Very mindful that it is his first preparation and we want to be looking after him. It may not be the right thing but if he was jumping out of his skin, you never know."

Staying on the rail: "I think we didn't have much choice today. We've drawn that low gate on the past few occasions and had to ride him a bit that way today, I felt. But I think he'll be a much better horse when he can get off the speed and show a good turn-of-foot."

Winning Jockey: Ben Melham

"He's a lovely colt. He did a good job to win. He's got good gate speed. His runs have been good in his first preparation. I really felt that he has been looking for the 1200 (metres). He jumped, he led comfortably and then he got absolutely pestered for two or three hundred metres. It is tough going today, so it was a good solid performance by the colt."

Fence: "I was happy to stay on the fence in this race. It didn't prove any disadvantage, but obviously it will deteriorate as the day wears on."

On Matt Laurie: "He's a very good trainer, very under-rated. He's starting to get some good cattle now. I actually had to talk him into running this horse this morning.

"He texted me about 9.30 and said he might scratch it. I said 'don't you dare'. So thankfully he didn't. He's always had good faith in this horse's ability and so have I.

"It's good to see him with a stakes result on the board."