3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes after Fasika claims the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.
Race Result:
1st: Fasika (Brenton Avdulla/Joseph Pride) - $7.50
2nd: Entriviere (NZ) (James McDonald/Jamie Richards) - $3.20F
3rd: Wandabaa (Jason Collett/Kris Lees) - $10
Winning Time: 1:09.88 Last 600m: 34.59
Margins: Head x ½L
"She's the best horse in the race" Joe Pride said about Fasika. He was right!
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 17, 2021
Fasika takes out the TAB Sapphire with @brentonavdulla aboard for @PrideRacing! pic.twitter.com/R5KQXXrpwX
Winning Trainer: Joseph Pride
On returning from injury: "We've nursed her back, you hear us trainers say it all the time but full credit to the team at home. It's a big task to get a mare that had her amount of problems back to the races and performing at that level. Very proud of her today, I was almost not going to run her today. It was just about the track, I didn't want a real firm track. I was so relieved when I got here and they were kicking it up and it was a bit soft, it did her a favour. I mean, she's a great mare but she just needs the sting out."
On his team being in tears post race: "It means a lot to Skye, she's one of the stable foreman. It means a lot to her because she's been with her from day one. She's watched what this mare's, not been through these horses aren't under sufferance, but we know they've got issues that we need to nurse and treat along the way to get them racing at their best and Skye's been part of the team that's done that."
On the win: "It's a big relief. I'd say the Kiwi mare (Entriviere) is a very good mare, there's no doubting that she was a lovely horse in the parade. My mare's first run in a long time and she's got good improvement in her. So relieved when I got here today and the sting was out of the track, it's done her a big favour."
On what's next: "She's probably a mare now that we'd be concentrating on Brisbane, but I wouldn't be travelling up there to run at Eagle Farm unless it was raining. We'll just let the dust settle, but I'm just happy that she's back and in that kind of order."
On if she didn't perform today: She would've been retired today if she hadn't have done that. I'm not into racing horses once they've past their best but she showed today that she has come back and that her highest rating win. She's got a Group 1 placing, but she's never won a Group 2 race so great result.
Winning Jockey: Brenton Avdulla
On the mare: "She's a mare that might not be the best horse that I have ever ridden but she is certainly one of my favourites. She just puts it all out there for you. Joe does an unbelievable job with her. He has been telling me all preparation that she is airborne but then she had that set back. I trialled her last week and I wasn't happy with her at all. She trialled poorly for her. I was 50/50 whether I wanted to stick with her this week but the connections have been so good to me."
On the run: "She's a funny mare, usually I canter her to the gates and I can tell if she is on or she is off. The way she cantered to the gates today she felt like a completely different horse to last week so I rode her confidently. She's got great speed, I just let her do her own thing out there and when the whips were cracking she dug deep for me."
On the future: "She's been great for everyone, for Joe for Tri Colours, because she just puts it all out there. She's not blessed with the soundest legs. She's a big brute of a thing. She's got great ability but it's just trying to get her in the right form, feeling well."
Beaten Jockeys:
Mark Zahra (Tofane): "Ran on OK. Welcome a bit further."
Glen Boss (Sweet Deal): "She went outstanding. Returning back to form."
James McDonald (Entriviere): "She is a star. She is a nice horse in the making. Will progress really well."
Hugh Bowman (Fiesta): "She ran a good race. They went a bit steady for us."
Tommy Berry (California Zimbol): "Just didn't handle that track."
Kerrin McEvoy (Seasons): "From gate one took a while to get cover when she over-raced a bit down on the inside. "
Craig Williams (Tricky Gal): "I got on the back of the favourite but got pushed wide and exposed against those sort of horses."
Tim Clark (Bavella): "She had a good run but failed to come on in the straight."
Jason Collett (Wandabaa): "Great run. In the right spot to win it."
Andrew Adkins (Adelong): "Happy with the run 1200m first up."
Sam Clipperton (Jen Rules): "Got to the line well. She is a funny mare. If she gets seven furlongs and a dry track she could do anything."
Ron Stewart (Alison Of Tuffy): "Jumped well. A bit too good but she acquitted herself nicely."
Robbie Dolan (Air To Air): "Looking for further."
