3 minute read

Trainer and jockey quotes following the Furphy Festive Season Benchmark 84 Sprint won by Defiant Dancer at Flemington on Saturday.

Race Result:

1st: Defiant Dancer (P Stokes/C Rawiller) - $2.50F
2nd: Riding The Wave (L Smith/E Brown) - $7
3rd: Holbien (S Richards/L Riordan) - $21

Winning Time: 1:10.34 Last 600m: 34.55

Margins: 3L x 1¼L

Defiant Dancer explodes away, giving Cam Rawiller his first Flemington winner.@pstokesracing @CamRawiller

— Racing.com (@Racing) December 19, 2020

Winning Trainer: Phillip Stokes

"I'm really happy for Cam (Rawiller), he had a lap full of horse. I just said 'get cover', I said 'produce him early', he did that.

"He was telling me he had two seconds at Flemington and I'm really happy he's got the monkey off his back and really happy for the connections. He's a horse that started off here, got lost and wasn't quite good enough, and he's come back from Adelaide stronger and better. He's flying.

What's next: "There's plenty of options for him now. I would've thought he'd get 1400 (metres) but we've got the Standish and nice options, so he's in really good form and I'll look forward to placing him and keeping him in the winning mode."

Winning Jockey: Campbell Rawiller

First Flemington winner: "It's a massive thrill. I just have to say a big thank you to the connections and to Mr Stokes as well. He's always throwing me a very chunky bone and he's always looked after me and I have to say a big thank you to them. They've been great supporters of mine.

On the horse: "He's very professional. He does everything right. Mr Stokes was well aware of what he's bringing today. He was bringing a very nice horse and it was great to get another kill. Onto much bigger and better things."

Christmas Day: Boxing Day will be the main focus so I think Dad and I won't be eating too much. I just want to (give a) special mention to my grandpa, Bob Johnson, he's a massive supporter. He's going through a few things at the moment with his health and he means the world to me."