3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes following the Sir Eugene Gorman Handicap at Flemington on Saturday won by Bartholomeu Dias.
Race Result:
1st: Bartholomeu Dias (T Nugent/C Maher & D Eustace) - $21
2nd: Hi Stranger (D Thornton/S Fliedner) - $19
3rd: Dice Roll (N Ryan/F Kersley) - $3.70 fav
Winning Time: 1:37.02 Last 600m: 36.18
Margins: 1-1/4L x Nose
It's an upset at Flemington.
— Racing.com (@Racing) July 17, 2021
Bartholomeu Dias breaks through first-up for @cmaherracing. pic.twitter.com/1S11J2Uz1s
Winning Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace (David Eustace interviewed)
Thought going into this race: "We thought he would run well, I can't say we thought he would win. He trialled well last week. He is an enigmatic horse, he has taken a while to work out. I want to thank Georgia and her team down at Fingal. She has done a wonderful job with him. She has changed his training up completely and he is doing largely hill track training away from any racetrack and that seems to have gotten him in the right frame of mind. That and he got a beautiful ride from Teo (Nugent) who was patient. We drilled that into him to be patient on him. He listened and he rode him really well."
Future plans: "To be honest, it has taken a while to work him out and we probably haven't fully yet either as to what his best trip is and that sort of shows in the fact he has raced well at a mile, he has raced over a mile and a half at home and has raced okay here at that trip. I would say on that (performance) we will try and keep him fairly fresh and keep him at a mile or 1800m and not go beyond 2000m at this stage. Without having a look in the book, I would say that is what we'll do. It is great for the owners as well. Highclere have been extremely patient for one and have shown us a lot of support. It is great to repay them with a winner on a Saturday at Flemington because it has been a little while."
Winning Jockey: Teo Nugent
Told to be patient: "It's not the first time Dave's told me to be patient.
"This horse has furnished a lot. The team has got a lot of time for him. Even the way he paraded today, he's put on a lot of weight.
"I trialled him a week-and-a-half ago at Traralgon over 950 metres and he gave me a lovely feel and coming here today we were quietly confident.
"Dave drummed it into me to be patient, and that's something we're certainly working on.
"I have got to give a big thank-you to Ciaron and Dave. They've supported me all the way through this apprenticeship and we've only go 10 or so winners to go now.
"I've got to thank them for a nice ride and hopefully I can stick with him."
Another shower of rain: "The track is lovely for winter time. The grass is getting a bit tired but there is genuine give and you can win from anywhere, which you can see in the first six races.
"Winners are grinners and long may it continue."
