3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes following the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes won by Artorius at Caulfield on Saturday.
Race Result:
1st: Artorius (A & S Freedman/L Currie) - $13
2nd: Ingratiating (J Cummings/W Pike) - $8.50
3rd: Anamoe (J Cummings/D Oliver) - $6
Winning Time: 1:09.57 Last 600m: 37.08
Margins: ¾L x 1¾L
"Artorius, pounces, bombs them and wins!"
— Racing.com (@Racing) February 20, 2021
What a win from Artorius in the Blue Diamond Stakes.@MelbRacingClub @FreedmanRacing pic.twitter.com/PkVc0yhtJ8
Winning Trainer: Anthony & Sam Freedman (Sam speaking)
"It's a big thrill. There's a big team behind us both and you can't do it without all of the staff. This horse has spent a lot of time at both Pinecliff and Flemington. It's just a huge thrill.
Sam's name in the book as a G1 winning trainer: "It's a great feeling but there's so many people behind this horse. Rebecca Smith at Pinecliff, Steve Adams, Brad Taylor, Leanne Fielding, all our riders at Flemington. It's a huge thrill.
"Having the family colours on today is a nice touch."
Blinkers the key: "It was. We gave thought to blinkers before Sandown. We thought we'd give him the benefit of the doubt again and he was dominant. We had a bit of a think. I liaised with Daniel O'Sullivan who does a lot of ratings and form and said 'how much do we have to make up on these sorts of horses', he thought we had to make four or five lengths up. We tended to agree.
"The blinkers, we didn't have them on at his trial last week and he was very lazy so they've sharpened him up. He worked strongly in them on Tuesday and he's come here and done it today.
Fast closing finish: "It was shades of his sire there but he went one better. This son of Flying Artie, he's a valuable horse now. You watch replays of Extreme Choice and Flying Artie going at it, and Flying Artie was obviously unlucky, but to have his son finish off and go one better, it's a big thrill."
As a younger horse: "He was very immature. He was six months off being a developed yearling. Do be honest, I didn't love him but Dad liked him. Dad's a very good judge of a yearling. We thought he was immature and just gave him time. Honestly, in the last six months he's turned into a beast.
"1200 metres is probably short of his best distance. We'll probably be targeting a Guineas in the spring."
Winning Jockey: Luke Currie
Another Blue Diamond, describe the last 400m: "I thought he was a chance, but he raced a little bit on-and-off. I knew he was getting a good run through, but I thought he might struggle late, just because he hadn't really had a chance to travel down and quicken, but he just kept coming. It was an amazing feeling the last bit."
This makes everything worthwhile: "It does. I missed this day last year with a fall the night before. It's been a much better week and weekend than this time last year. It makes it all worthwhile."
Teaming up with the Freedmans: "They were tossing up whether to come here or wait and put him out to seven furlongs which is probably what he looked like he would thrive at after his Sandown win. I went down early in the week and trialled him at Balnarring and they decided to put the blinkers on him. They are tried and tested and know what they're doing the whole team there and that's why they produce good winners like they do."
Beaten jockeys:
Jamie Kah (General Beau): "He was a bit dour. Enthaar probably needed to get across a bit earlier and give him more of a cover."
Willie Pike (Ingratiating): "Very good effort. I might have hit the front a smidge early and was left vulnerable. Super effort and very grateful for the ride."
Luke Nolen (Finance Tycoon): "Terrific effort. He's very consistent and a very honest horse that continues to run well."
Kerrin McEvoy (Pegasi): "He did a lot wrong."
Damien Oliver (Anamoe): "He ran well. He was just a bit new with the blinkers on first time. I think he will appreciate having a run in and will improve second time with the blinkers on."
Joe Bowditch (Abseiler): "Has just come to the end of his preparation."
Michael Walker (Jigsaw): "He ran really good. He tried hard but he's just not there yet."
John Allen (Construct): "He's run well. He's definitely going to be suited for maybe 1400 metres but a good solid effort."
Daniel Stackhouse (Hitotsu): "He's going to be a nice horse in time. Just needs to go through his grades."
Mark Zahra (Enthaar): "Ran well but she's so brilliant. 1200 (metres) in a high pressure race just finds her out late. She's running 'tens' with her head on her chest. Kind of wanted to go slower but she's just so brilliant and it brings her undone in the end."
Damian Lane (Arcaded): "Disappointing. She raced well below par for her."
Dwayne Dunn (Wolves): "She ran well. The winner took me out of play turning in. She'll be better over seven furlongs."
Damien Thornton (Ginibi): "Not ready."
