3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes after Lunar Fox takes out Saturday’s Group 1 Australian Guineas at Flemington.
Race Result:
1st: Lunar Fox (M Dee/P Preusker) - $301
2nd: Cherry Tortoni (B Egan/P Payne) - $10
3rd: Tagaloa (L Currie/T Busuttin & N Young) - $3.50F
Winning Time: 1:35.86 Last 600m: 34.54
Margins: ½L x Neck
Holy moly!
— Racing.com (@Racing) February 27, 2021
Lunar Fox wins the Group 1 Australian Guineas at $139. @FlemingtonVRC pic.twitter.com/8DaRi95lRM
Winning Trainer: Paul Preusker (Holly McKechnie interviewed)
"It's a bit surreal at this stage. I can't believe it. He's always had a lot of ability, this horse. Obviously last start he ran below par and we couldn't really find any issue. We've done the old trick with the blinkers and it seems to have done the job.
"Last time was just out of character. He's always trying this horse. Getting to the outside and the additions of blinkers certainly helped him."
What would Paul be saying: "He would be beside himself. I'm so proud of my partner. He works so hard. He's at home working but it's just an unreal moment. Congratulations to all the owners.
Pre-race message to the owners: "We said let's hope he's hitting the line because he didn't hit the line last time. I know they're having a big get together so have fun guys."
Winning Jockey: Michael Dee
Not the punters' friend today: "I don't really care, to be honest."
"I can't believe it. It hasn't sunk in. To be honest, I didn't give him much hope. No one else really did either. All I could do today was do my job and do it to the best of my ability. Hopefully the horse ran well in doing so.
"Having the blinkers on today and just a massive improvement. They drilled it into me before the race to stay off the fence. From the gate we were able to get the perfect run three-wide and work into it.
"It's obviously a massive thrill and I can't believe it has just happened."
"He's quite a casual sort of horse in his own right and you could tell when we jumped from the barriers that he was ready to go with those blinkers on. He'd put himself thereabouts, not too far off the tempo and he just didn't rest."
Beaten jockeys:
Kerrin McEvoy (Ole Kirk): "Just fair."
Luke Currie (Tagaloa): "Good effort. He just had to do a bit of work to get over but he stuck to his guns well. The mile…. just."
Damian Lane (Aysar): "Disappointing."
Billy Egan (Cherry Tortoni): "He ran super. Just a shame that he didn't win."
Willie Pike (Dom To Shoot): "Disappointing effort. Had a good run. Didn't find in the straight."
John Allen (Grandslam): "He was ok late. He was getting through the line well so maybe a step up in trip will suit."
Jack Hill (Beltoro): "He ran well. I think the addition blinkers and a step out to 2000 (metres) is going to suit him down to the ground."
Damien Oliver (Embolism): "I thought I was going to win. I got a great run. It was a much more improved effort and it's good to see him back in form."
Ben Allen (It'sourtime): ""Ridden upside down I reckon. He'd be better off when he can settle, over a bit of ground."
Jye McNeil (Jet Propulsion): "We were caught wide. He stuck to his guns but he was never a chance really."
Mark Zahra (Cambourne): "Disappointing."
Mark Walker (Ironedge): "Not sure. He travelled inside the winner and just stopped."
Luke Nolen (Here To Shock): "He'll be better suited over further."
Jamie Kah (Zou Dancer): "Very happy. She was tough and I think next prep she will be bigger and better."
