3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes following the Group 1 Australian Derby at Randwick on Saturday won by Explosive Jack.
Race Result:
1st: Explosive Jack (NZ) (John Allen/Ciaron Maher & David Eustace) - $16
2nd: Young Werther (NZ) (Tom Marquand/Danny O'Brien) - $15
3rd: Lion's Roar (NZ) (Brenton Avdulla/John O'Shea) - $8.50
Winning Time: 2:34.13 Last 600m: 35.81
Margins: Half Head x Head
Absolute scenes in the Australian Derby! Explosive Jack was exactly that to get the Group 1 win. pic.twitter.com/Iyuss3F2Tr
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 10, 2021
Winning Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace (Ciaron Maher comments)
On the win: "It's phenomenal really. This horse has been in work a long time. It's been to all our stables and the team have done an extraordinary job with him. His last piece of work on Saturday was the best piece he's done since he's had a saddle on his back. Johnny (Allen) was on board him at Werribee and he just said 'he's flying' and I said 'well that's how it looks'. He thought he might lack that little bit of class but we knew he was a very very strong stayer and he was right to go, so full credit to him."
On the ownership group: "To the owners, they're great mates and just a really good bunch of people and really enjoy the whole rollercoaster of racing. They were fortunate enough to be here with Kenedna (winner of the Queen Of The Turf in 2019) not so long ago and then to be back here again I couldn't be happier, and I can't thank them enough."
On what's next: "With every run he's got better. Every run, so who knows. He's still improving now, who knows where the ceiling is. Anyway I'm sure they'll enjoy today and probably even tonight even better."
Winning Jockey: John Allen
Thoughts on Explosive Jack in transit: "He is a tough horse, the distance was never going to be a worry with him. We got cover on the back of Young Werther. Montefilia actually popped out down the side and pushed me out a bit wide. I didn't want to take off on him too early so I let her come around me."
"Once we got to the outside, he really let down and he tries his guts out this horse."
On whether he thought they'd won the photo finish: "I thought I did but I didn't want to celebrate just in case I didn't. With the horse in between us it was hard to tell. I thought I had my head down on the line. It was close but we got there."
On winning for Explosive Jack's connections: "I've had great luck with these owners. They are a great bunch of blokes. They've always supported me 100% so it is good to pay them back again. Hopefully there will be more successes in the future."
Beaten Jockeys:
Brenton Avdulla (Lion's Roar): "Gave me a fantastic ride, tried hard. Had a great trip."
Kerrin McEvoy (Rocket Spade): "Didn't appreciate the steady tempo."
James McDonald (Sky Lab): "He's just had enough."
Damien Oliver (Milford): "Ran OK. Will be better left handed."
Hugh Bowman (The Frontman): "He's just not settling well enough at the moment."
Tim Clark (Yaletown): "See how he pulls up. Obviously nowhere near his best."
Tom Marquand (Young Werther): "Huge performance. It was a shame that the winner came the other side of Lion's Roar because if next door he probably would have knuckled down and beaten him. It was a shame."
Craig Williams (Khoekhoe): "He's definitely a quality horse. He gave me a lovely ride throughout from a very generous barrier. I think he thought his job was done. He was last horse off the bridle but got to the front and thought it was job done. He's a high quality horse going forward."
Rachel King (Prompt Prodigy): "The back up probably too much for him. Likely needs a break."
Jamie Kah (Toscanini): "He's not very interested at the moment. Switched off here."
Tommy Berry (Favreau): "Lovely staying performance. Just add a bit more brilliance."
Keagan Latham (Rondino): "Really happy that he relaxed really nicely. I think he was revved up last week. He handled the whole race really well but better next prep."
Andrew Adkins (Zakspeed): "Nice run stepping up in class. Only maturing as he goes."
Damian Lane (Olympic Gaze): "Good run for a horse of his grade. They had too much the last 600m."
Jason Collett (Montefilia): "Travelled a bit strong. Shot through but overpowered late."
