3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes following the Group 3 Concorde Stakes at Randwick on Saturday won by Nature Strip.
Race Result:
1st: Nature Strip (C Waller/J McDonald) - $1.50F
2nd: Wild Ruler (Team Snowden/S Clipperton) - $5.00
3rd: Trekking (J Cummings/K McEvoy) - $9.50
Winning Time: 56.66 Last 600m: 32.62
Margins: 2½L x ½ L
NATURE STRIP CRUISES TO VICTORY IN THE CONCORDE!
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 4, 2021
Bring on #TheEverest @cwallerracing @mcacajamez @aus_turf_club pic.twitter.com/vsDMURbAD6
Winning Trainer: Chris Waller
On his return: "He's come back so well. He's had a trouble free prep. He looks like he's in for a good Spring. I think again today you could see he actually raced a lot more tractably. He allowed Wild Ruler and Trekking to be in his sights. I actually thought when he topped the rise with Wild Ruler still on the bridle that he might come with us. But it was great to see him show that acceleration and leave a bit of a gap on them."
On the prep (to the Premiere): "It is really. He could run in two weeks time, there's a $500,000 race here at Randwick but realistically it's just about longevity with these horses and we've seen where he's at. We know he's got a couple of big races to come. We'll see how he comes through today and keep our feet on the ground that is for sure."
On last year: "Last year we made excuses for him. The fact was he was getting taken on by horses that were giving themselves no chance but he didn't have a Plan B. He couldn't relax. If a horse takes us on now we can take a sit quite comfortably and I think that is the difference between now and then. Yes he's had allergies and lots of other things that I dare not say he won't get again this Spring but we'll be keeping a watchful eye on everything. Making sure there is not too much pollen in the stable."
Winning Jockey: James McDonald
On his feel: "He's come back in tremendous order. All the team at home do a good job with him. I can safely say that is the best I've ever felt him first up."
On the prep: "I think the writing was on the wall with his last TJ win when they decided to take him on and that backfired for them. He was able to take a sit and show that lethal turn of foot that he has got but sustained speed. I couldn't go slow enough at the furlong. He was just coasting through his gears. He is so balanced and in a really really good frame of mind. You can see it walking around the parade ring, around at the start and walking about after a race. He's in a good frame of mind."
Is he best sprinter in the world?: "He is at the moment."
Beaten Jockeys:
Kerrin McEvoy (Trekking): "Great run by Trekking. He showed he's got his enthusiasm for the sport still. Will only improve off that."
Sam Clipperton (Wild Ruler): "Super effort by the horse today. Going into a high pressure race like that off one trial, he's fought off Trekking for second and was strong through the line. Will take a stack of improvement and in for a good prep."
Hugh Bowman (Standout): "He went really well. He'd had enough the final 50m but to that point was superb."
Jason Collett (Handle The Truth): "Good return. Good through the line."
Josh Parr (Star Boy): "He pulled up having a good blow. Nice improvement to come."
Brock Ryan (Standing Bear): "He's run well against really strong company. He attacked the line well."
Jay Ford (Adelong): "She went really well. Obviously that is the hardest race she has contested in her career but I thought she performed very well."
