3 minute read

Trainer and jockey quotes following the Country Championships Final won by Art Cadeau at Randwick on Saturday.

Race Result:

1st: Art Cadeau (Tommy Berry/Terry Robinson) - $3.30F
2nd: Another One (Nick Heywood/Gary Colvin) - $10
3rd: Charmmebaby (NZ) (Grant Buckley/Bob Milligan) - $14

Winning Time: 1:25.23 Last 600m: 36.08

Margins: ½L x 1½L

Art Cadeau takes out the @NewhavenPark Country Championships Final! Huge win for @RegalLodge Terry Robinson and @TommyBerry21 picking up his 2nd Final! #TheChampionships pic.twitter.com/hpZzGPFQTm

— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 10, 2021

Winning Trainer: Terry Robinson

On if the delay helped his chances: "I think it has in the end. I think all us trainers had a bit of trouble with the wet, I think it affected everyone and nearly an eight week break, it was a big effort by the horse. I think there were a few concerns with him this prep I must say. Things haven't gone exactly to plan. Full credit to the horse, he's just a lovely horse."

On today's conditions: "Fortunately enough, he's drawn the right alley today. He's got the best rider on (Tommy Berry), it's all worked out good."

On his relationship with Tommy Berry: "We've had a good association over the years. Look, he's ridden a fair few winners for me. What's so good about Tommy is he's so good off the track, he's just a genuine bloke. He's so good for racing and he's a good mate."

On if this is better than winning a Highway: "Certainly mate, it's the ultimate thing."

On if he can win a Kosciuszko: "Hopefully he might the horse that can come back. I think that's probably worth a go. I really think once he gets over a mile he'll be a better horse. He seems to have gotten stronger every prep and I'm looking forward to what he does in the future."

Winning Jockey: Tommy Berry

On winning the Country Championship Final: "It is like riding a Group 1 winner. There are so many good people in this horse.

"Him (Terry Robinson) and his whole family are here today. They're a big part of the team. It is awesome.

"These guys don't get this opportunity very often. I get it a lot but to do it for people like this, I come from a family, my father raced horses around the country and provincial area for most of his career, these are the guys I was brought up with, this is what it's all about."

"I'll come here next week and I'll be back on the best horses again but this bloke, it was just all about the way he was managed, he was managed to perfection and Terry is a bloody champion."

Thoughts on how Art Cadeau was prepared for today: "Terry (Robinson) has done an amazing job. He has had a long time between runs. He brought him here for a trial in between which I was rapt that he did. He floated through his paces. Just the way he has nurtured him along and kept the speed in his legs. He was definitely of the opinion he could go dour quick."

Thoughts in transit: "Terry gave me no instructions but there was a real lack of speed in the race. I didn't really want to lead on him but he is a real momentum horse. Once I got him into a nice rhythm and he found the front, he pricked his ears and I got a couple of easy sectionals. From the top of the straight it was all about building him up and he was way too good for them."

Beaten Jockeys:

Josh Parr (Plonka): "Terrific effort. Just got softened from the wide draw."

Samantha Clenton (Healing Hands): "He was just a bit plain today."

Nick Heywood (Another One): "Ran super. Once he gets to the mile you'll see the best of him."

Hugh Bowman (Rothenburg): "I think the 1400m might be just a touch beyond him."

Rachel King (Subtle Grey): "Just had a tough run from the gate."

James McDonald (Baileys): "Put out business early in the race."

Christian Reith (Pure Fuego): "Probably come to the end of his prep."

Ben Looker (Activation): "Just really didn't quicken today. Had a nice run but the tempo wasn't that strong. Followed third home but we sort of plugged."

John Kissick (Bautista): "Probably rode him a bit close but he has gone well."

Clayton Gallagher (Hamogany): "Horse travelled well enough in amongst them. Got shuffled back a little more than I intended too. Travelled nicely but probably wasn't up to the grade."

Reece Jones (Spiranac): No comment

Grant Buckley (Charmmebaby): "Super effort from the gate. Had to come back a little too far. Finished the race off really well."

Jess Taylor (Girls Are Ready): No comment

Matthew Cahill (Wild Rocket): "Good run. Got back from the wide barrier but had a nice run through them. Ran really well."

Tim Clark (Tara Jasmine): "She didn't step cleanly. It put her out of play."