3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes after Matchmaker claims the Group 3 PJ Bell Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.
Race Result:
1st: Matchmaker (J McDonald/C Waller) - $12
2nd: Marboosha (K McEvoy/P & P Snowden) - $8.50
3rd: Geist (R King/J Cummings) - $26
Winning Time: 1:11.17 Last 600m: 35.76
Margins: Half Head x ½L
Matchmaker too good for them in the last. @mcacajamez and @cwallerracing finish off Day 1 of #TheChampionships with a win. pic.twitter.com/BI8TrxM9Xw
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 10, 2021
Winning Trainer: Chris Waller
On her New Zealand heritage: "She's from the south island in New Zealand, she did a good job over there winning her first start and running in some nice races, picking up some black type. Now to come to the big stage here at Royal Randwick and winning on Doncaster day, it's pretty special."
On her future: "The confidence she'll take out of it is good and naturally you'd expect her to get out over a little bit further as well. So I think she'll be a nice four-year-old in the autumn."
On having a good winning day for the team: "Yeah, great day for the team. We were very proud of Nature Strip, how he raced today it was copy book type of material. He used to get out there and charge and break horses hearts and maybe his own heart sometimes. But the way he did it today was just picture perfect."
On Verry Elleegant next week: "She had the day off today. Everything's worked out well so far and there's a great few horses coming together next week obviously all day but particularly in the Queen Elizabeth. It would be great to be fighting out the finish in that."
Winning Jockey: James McDonald
Thoughts on Matchmaker: "She is a bit of a handful in the parade ring. Hopefully she gets better with a bit more maturity and as she gets along in her preparation. She is a lovely mare who handles the wet ground really well."
On being able to ride winners at a major meeting: "I am so lucky and so blessed to ride every horse I swing my leg over. You have to pinch yourself sometimes. They are beautiful horses who are highly talented. It's very special and I'm very lucky."
On riding winners today, his partner's birthday: "It is nice to finish on a good note and especially to get three winners on Katelyn's birthday so happy birthday babe."
"She'll (Katelyn Mallyon) say I'm not the romantic one. I'll let her plan her own one (birthday celebration) and I'll go along for the ride."
Beaten Jockeys:
Josh Parr (Every Rose): "Nightmare from the draw. She's lost that early speed she had early in the prep."
Jamie Kah (Macroura): "I think she was holding her breath."
Kerrin McEvoy (Marboosha): "Great run."
Tim Clark (Supreme Idea): "She tried her best. Just a few lengths of them."
Jason Collett (Never Talk): "Lack of gatespeed doesn't help. Found the line strong."
Glen Boss (Barossa Rosa): "No good."
Tommy Berry (Najmah): "Went too keen."
Andrew Adkins (Stellar Pauline): "Very good run."
Brenton Avdulla (Selburose): "She gave me a lovely ride. I thought I had a bit of horse before the bend but I don't think she stretched out."
Keagan Latham (Tudor Music): "Unfortunately she is a filly who likes it on top of the ground and she struggled on it today."
Craig Williams (Perfect Radiance): "On face value she was really disappointing today. It's a shame she looked good in the yard."
Regan Bayliss (All Hallows' Eve): "Another one who just needs to draw a barrier."
Robbie Dolan (Salateen): "She ran better than it looked. The last furlong was good. Looking for seven furlongs."
Rachel King (Geist): "Massive run. Just had to give away too much ground at the start."
