3 minute read

Trainer and jockey quotes following the MRC Membership Renewal Handicap won by Awapuni Princess at Caulfield on Saturday.

Race Result:

1st: Awapuni Princess (Teodore Nugent/Anthony and Sam Freedman) - $19
2nd: Bubbly Lass (Michael Dee/Ciaron Maher and David Eustace) - $10
3rd: Sugartown (Jamie Kah/Danny O'Brien) - $5

Winning Time: 1:12.03 Last 600m: n/a

Margins: Half-Neck x Half-Head

Where did Awapuni Princess come from!?

What a performance! @boysgetpaid pic.twitter.com/cTuANGBI3v

— Racing.com (@Racing) July 24, 2021

Winning Trainer: Anthony and Sam Freedman (Sam speaking)

On the finish: "We thought she'd run well, probably beyond what her price was. It was an extraordinary ride, she was in a tricky spot at the point of the turn. She's shown that she's best when she can be left alone. She was on a fairly quick back up, but her form had been really good. We felt that if she was going to be winning a metro Saturday race it was going to be as a three-year-old and this was going to be her last chance. It was a good performance."

Must be great for the business: "She was a filly we purchased along with Julian Blaxland for not a lot of money and syndicated amongst stable clients and the Boys Get Paid group over there in New Zealand, who I'm sure are all set for a big night now, hopefully they all had something on. It's a big thrill training winners for any ownership group, but when you've gone out and purchased them and syndicated them amongst stable clients it's an extra thrill."

How's the team coming together?: "They're slowly coming to hand. I wouldn't mind a few trials next week, but that's a whole different discussion. They're coming to hand nicely. La Mexicana was obviously good first-up today, she'll run again in the Aurie's Star. We've got some nice two rising three-year-olds that can hopefully put their hand up for some nice races."

Winning Jockey: Teo Nugent

Hoping for some gaps: "I was quietly confident heading into today. The way she won her maiden at Geelong and even her next run after that was full of merit. She's never drawn a gate in her life this horse and we drew poorly again today. We couldn't go around them from that barrier, we had to ride for luck. Probably 300 (metres) from home we might run a nice third or fourth and we need a little gap to appear. The acceleration was unbelievable. She got through a very neat gap, burst through and we got there just in time. A big thank-you to Sam and Anthony Freedman.

Get some love on social media from owners: "These are pretty famous silks actually. So a big shout-out to all the punters and owners involved. We got the cash, well done."