3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes following the Listed Chester Manifold Stakes won by Never Again at Flemington on Saturday.
Race Result:
1st: Never Again (M Walker/C McDonald) - $9.50
2nd: Vassilator (D Oliver/C Little) - $7
3rd: Brave Song (J Allen/P & P Snowden) - $8.50
Winning Time: 1:22.31 Last 600m: 35.40
Margins: Neck x Neck
Never Again wins again! The Clinton McDonald-trained galloper takes out the Listed Chester Manifold Stakes.@cmcdonaldracing @FlemingtonVRC pic.twitter.com/6tQjtGBClf
— Racing.com (@Racing) January 9, 2021
Winning Trainer: Clinton McDonald
"We own the horse and there's $89,000 ($84,000) reasons to be clapping. It was a good result for the family.
"He's a nice horse. He's always shown good ability. Over the 1400 metres here he's always raced well. He's always needed the tempo on and he got that today which was good to see. Michael (Walker) rode him beautifully.
"He hits a flat spot and Michael knew about that. He got him through that and then once he got him into the clear I thought he'd be hard to beat."
On Walker: "When he's on he's on. He's one of those riders that can go missing a bit and then when he comes back and he's on, there's no better. We're very blessed in Victoria, we've got a number of great jockeys. We're very fortunate."
What's next: "He'll probably go to the John Dillon in two weeks' time over 1400 metres at Caulfield. Hopefully it's the same type of race. To be fair it was a rating race of 95 - I think that was the top rating today - so at 85 he got in well at the weights so it's good prizemoney and we'll take it."
Winning Jockey: Michael Walker
"I rode him at his first start and he gave me the feel of a nice horse. I think I rode him once more at the end of his prep and it was third time lucky to get the win today.
"I sort of wanted to be one-out one-back but when I spoke to Craig Newitt in the gates he said he's definitely going forward. When Froggy's going forward he's leading and leading at a good tempo. So I changed my mind to ride him three-back and he hit the flat spot. Obviously I haven't been on him for a while so Clinton told Me to be mindful of his flat spot.
"I suppose if there were people on him (watching at) 700 or 800 (metres) out, you'd be screwing your tickets up but he just gradually builds, builds, builds and picks up. At the end he was actually running away from them.
"When I first came over as a kid, Clint, Ross and Margaret supported me hugely. I think Margaret is in the ownership, too. It was good for her and Ross isn't here anymore but he'd be looking down and happy for everyone."
Lindsey Smith on unplaced Riding The Wave:
"It looks like he didn't stay the 1400 metres. Solid pace. I'll speak to Deane Lester and break the race down but on first thought it looked like he didn't run the 1400. It's not the first time I've been wrong and it won't be the last. He'll have a rest and he'll come back and start in a race like the Wangoom first-up."
