3 minute read

Trainer and jockey quotes following the Kennedy Open Handicap taken out by Vassilator at Flemington on Saturday.

Race Result:

1st: Vassilator (C Little/D Oliver) - $21
2nd: Polanco (S Eden/J McNeil) - $25
3rd: Over Exposure (T & C McEvoy/D Lane) - $5

Winning Time: 1:22.72 Last 600m: 34.78

Margins: Neck x ¾L

.@FlemingtonVRC specialist, Vassilator, reigned supreme over 1400m at Flemington.@lordlodge13 @RacingInsider

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

Winning Trainer: Colin Little

"I don't think he's won anywhere else. We waited for the race, we waited a month. We could have run him early but we thought we'd save him for where he likes."

On the run: "Craig (Williams - originally engaged) likes to go back on him. I always think they go a bit too far back, but anyway, it worked out today."

What's next - maybe the Manifold: "Could be. We just thought that over the last that me might've got a little older and lost a length. We purposely missed the spring and came back going into Christmas/New Year, I thought that's where he'd be well placed this time of year. So far it has worked out."

<As Oliver weighed-in Little said to him that his last ride for the stable was 24 December 2016. Oliver replied, "that's a decent suspension".>

Winning Jockey: Damien Oliver

"He's always shown a bit of ability, this horse. He's a bit quirky. It was my first ride on him but I have watched a lot of him and I think getting him relaxed is the main key. He did that today and he was able to finish strongly.

Track/distance suits: "Particularly when he gets in a race that has a nice genuine tempo like he had today. When the pace comes out of the race he can be a bit awkward but he finished really well so it was good to get a winner for good old friend Rod Fitzroy, ex-Chairman of the VRC. Nice to get a winner for him."