3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes after Harbour Views claims the Listed Sofitel at Flemington on Saturday.
Race Result:
1st: Harbour Views (D Lane/M Williams) - $26
2nd: Cherry Tortoni (J McNeil/P Payne) - $12
3rd: Ayrton (J Allen/M Price & M Kent Jnr) - $1.45F
Winning Time: 1:23.41 Last 600m: N/A
Margins: ½ Head x ½ Neck
What a return from the 7YO!
— Racing.com (@Racing) September 11, 2021
Harbour Views flashed home to score in a great finish from Cherry Tortoni.@mwracing3638 @OTIRacing pic.twitter.com/i5banpcQoq
Winning Trainer: Matthew Williams
Unexpected: "I thought he'd be hitting the line strong but I didn't see him running over the top of them late.
"He's prepped up beautifully. He's lovely and sound. He would normally tighten up after a couple of trials but he just hasn't done it this prep. He's a year older, he's had a fair time in between runs so I couldn't say I expected him to win today but we were confident he'd be running well and heading to a Sandown Stakes over 1500 metres second-up.
Lengthy break: "It was forced upon us. We had him up to trial stage but he gave a sesamoid a whack in a paddock yard so he had to have an arthroscope and have that cleaned up.
"He's been a stable favourite and we're rapt for OTI who are great supporters and to get him back in the winners stall.
"I had the Sandown Stakes pencilled in. I thought that might be a nice race. Maybe we'll up the ante a little bit. We've tried him over further but I'm not convinced. I know he's run good races over 1800 metres and 2000 but he was looking pretty nice there over 1400 metres with the genuine speed. Maybe we keep him fresh and target something shorter."
Winning Jockey: Damian Lane
"Very fortunate to pick up the ride. Some jockey shuffling saw me landing on him with Johnny Allen on Ayrton. It opened the door which is a bit of luck.
First time I've ridden for Matty for a while, too. Great result.
"He went super. He was in great order. He might have looked a bit showy in the yard but I probably rode him like that. I probably rode him a bit negatively early. Once in the run when Ayrton got going I didn't get going with him with that in the back of my mind.
"It really fell into place well for him. It would have been a good ride because he's a touch soft or a good beaten so I'm glad it came off.
"To me he feels like a 1400 metre horse, maybe a mile. He might be a bit sharp further than that but he has run good races over further."
