3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes after Defiant Dancer claims the Fulmen Park Benchmark 78 Handicap at Pakenham on Saturday.
Race Result:
1st: Defiant Dancer (W Price/P Stokes) - $5
2nd: That Girl (D Stackhouse/P Stokes) - $7
3rd: Pariano (L Nolen/T Dabernig & B Hayes) - $9
Winning Time: 55.50 Last 600m: N/A
Margins: 1L x 1¼L
On-course trainers are off to a flying start at Pakenham.
— Racing.com (@Racing) December 5, 2020
Defiant Dancer was far too good first-up in R2. @pstokesracing @WILLPRICE50
Winning Trainer: Phillip Stokes
Stokes tipped his horses the other way around: "I did (get them the wrong way around) but they both ran super. I felt sorry for that Girl because she ran second last year, too. She's ready to win.
"I'll give full credit to Tommy back in Adelaide. They identified this race after the horse trialled and sent him over here. I thought he might've found them a bit sharp but he didn't. So well done, team, in Adelaide.
On the run - That Girl: "Her sectionals would have been great but she just got too far back.
"Both really nice horses going forward."
Stable going well in town: "Full credit to Justine and everyone back at the stables. We've been placing them really well and getting the results."
What's next: "We'll just progress them. I think there's a couple of nice races coming up with That Girl at metro level. That's what it's all about."
Winning Jockey: Will Price
"Speaking to Phil before the race he said just to get him on the ball behind the gates because there'll be a lot of speed. He actually jumped really well which was good, nice and clean out of the gates and we were happy just to take a sit behind that hot tempo.
"Gave him a little squeeze as we were coming around the corner as we were getting onto the course proper and he really picked up the bridle and trucked into it nicely. He went really well.
"I felt really good coming around the corner. I felt like the winner all the way up the straight. Phillip Stokes is flying and it is good to get an opportunity and make the most of it.
Family association: A lot of the Stokes and Price family members went to school together. Something to follow-up later if you wish to.
Other Trainers : Calvin McEvoy on unplaced favourite Meteorite
"He was very disappointing today. The first three that led the race finished last three. Jamie said that she didn't feel like they were doing too much. Coming around the bend he did hang a bit it was very disappointing so we'll go right over him and see what comes off it."
