3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes after the Rod Fenwick Handicap at Caulfield on Saturday taken out by Rousseau.
Race Result:
1st: Rousseau (T Nugent/C Waller) - $7.50
2nd: Reuber (C Newitt/C Alderson) - $10
3rd: Redwood Shadow (D Yendall/M Price & M Kent Jr) - $4
Winning Time: 2:03.49 Last 600m: N/A
Margins: Long Neck x 1L
Rousseau gets in from Reuber at Caulfield. pic.twitter.com/BaJEP7t5bv
— Racing.com (@Racing) May 8, 2021
Winning Trainer: Chris Waller (rep by Jo Taylor)
"He's been knocking at the door. He's probably had his opportunities and not been able to get over the line at his last couple of starts and it was nice to see him come here today, step up in class and tough it out and get the victory.
"Early on as a colt he was quite bullish as a colt. Obviously he got gelded. At home he is pretty straightforward. In the races as we've seen in the past he can get pulling at times and that's why we went for the ear muffs last start and thought he'd settle really well but then wasn't quite as effective late as we would have liked.
"Chris, the absolute master that he is, said that we're going to step him up and put blinkers on him. Then it was up to Teo to make sure that he settled in the run and we knew he'd be strong late.
"I think early on we were thinking along the lines of a South Australian Derby kind of horse. Up to the 2000 metres today certainly hasn't been a problem and we'll just wait for what Teo has to say but I'd imagine he could step up again."
Winning Jockey: Teo Nugent
"He's a nice horse. He had been overracing a touch but the Waller team have played around with gear changes - he had the ear muffs on last start and he's a horse that can reef and tear a little bit.
"Once he began from the gates he was only moderate away but that just allowed us to get into a lovely position. We settled one-out, one-back early and then another horse whipped around early and suddenly we were three-back, one-off and trailing Red Santa.
"We ended up in a lovely spot. I love the way he relaxed underneath me. There was genuine speed, he relaxed beautifully. He did everything the right way. Blinkers on first time, it can go one of two ways but credit to the Waller team, they've got it downpat. He relaxed lovely for me.
"He put them away quite well. Approaching the 400 (metre mark) we rode in rather than go out and give him the easiest run possible. When I pushed the button he really took off for me. He'll be a better horse over 2400 metres and a bit further too.
"I think what they've nailed for him is that if he can settle early and switch off, he'll finish the race off later.
"He won his maiden convincingly and then kind of plateaued after that. But to come here to town and win, he's a nice horse in the making."
