3 minute read

Trainer and jockey quotes following the Group 3 Manion Cup won by Favorite Moon at Rosehill on Saturday.

Race Result:

1st: Favourite Moon (GER) (Kerrin McEvoy/William Haggas) - $6.50
2nd: Realm Of Flowers (Damien Thornton/Anthony & Sam Freedman) - $8.50
3rd: Sacramento (Sam Clipperton/Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott) - $5F

Winning Time: 2:31.68 Last 600m: 36.07

Margins: Neck x 1¾L

Favorite Moon and @KPMcEvoy get the win for @WilliamHaggas in a thrilling edition of the Manion Cup. pic.twitter.com/tiFCwEToNs

— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 27, 2021

Winning Trainer: Isabella Paul (Stable representative for William Haggas)

On winning in Australia: "It's pretty fun when they win like that, it makes it all worth it.

On acclimatising since arrival: "He's been brilliant. I think he's really coming into his own down here, the kind of one on one attention and everything has really really suited him. He's just a lovely horse to have around and he's been training really well. Tom's (Marquand) ridden him and Kerrin's (McEvoy) ridden him at home and they've both been really happy with him so we're obviously over the moon.

On the ride: "It was a great ride. Fantastic.

On getting over a further distance: "Yes, he should be better over a little bit further, so we'll talk to the boss and see what he wants to do next.

On if William Haggas is watching and have you spoken with him: Yeah absolutely. No not yet, I probably ought to go and do that.

Winning Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy

On the horse: "He's a sweet little fella. I was happy to see him bouncing around and alert today in the parade ring because he's quite relaxed at home.

"I rode him the other morning and I had sore legs after riding him, he never took me a yard the other morning. But once I got into him in his work he did finish off nicely."

On the win: "It was nice to get him into a good spot today from the gate, he was able to step well and travel smoothly. I was happy when they went a bit quicker and the horse did the rest."

On the Sydney Cup: "I'd say it would be no problems, it's a nice race for him. He's been a well-spotted horse to bring out here by William and his team.

"He's won over distances further than today's race back home in the UK so I'd say it would be a nice race for him."

Beaten Jockeys:

Damien Oliver (Mustajeer): "He ran OK."

Hugh Bowman (Raheen House): "He was disappointing today."

James McDonald (Quick Thinker): "Just a battling effort."

Nash Rawiller (Hush Writer): "He ran super. Will be better on the better track."

Sam Clipperton (Sacramento): "I thought he went terrific. He switched off nice over a longer trip. It was a good run stepping up in distance now and he's on target."

Jason Collett (Collide): "Touch strong early and just failed to quicken much."

Brenton Avdulla (Selino): "He ran well. Just starting to get into his own when he gets to these distances and I'm sure he's a top five ride in the Sydney Cup."

Tommy Berry (Dadoozdart): "Disappointing"

Tom Sherry (Kaapfever): "Ran really well. Probably not ideal being on the fence as he likes clear air but a good run."

Robbie Dolan (Skymax): "Just the slow track he couldn't get to the front down the side when I needed to. On a better track he can skip away and keep going."

Damien Thornton (Realm Of Flowers): "Went super."