3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes after Incentivise claims the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington on Saturday.
Race Result:
1st: Incentivise (B Prebble/P Moody) - $3.90
2nd: Mo'Unga (J McNeil/A Neasham) - $4.40
3rd: Sir Dragonet (B Allen/C Maher & D Eustace) - $31
Winning Time: 1:36.63 Last 600m: N/A
Margins: Neck x Short ½ Head
He's the real deal!
— Racing.com (@Racing) September 11, 2021
INCENTIVISE wins the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes. @blprebble @moodyracingpgm pic.twitter.com/mUNYno4I25
Winning Trainer: Peter Moody
Thoughts on the win: "It was a very good effort, he didn't look comfortable at any stage, I don't think he got on his right leg. It will be interesting to have a chat with Brett (Prebble), he certainly didn't change down in the straight."
On moving deeper into the spring: "There is nice improvement to come. It probably wasn't the way we intended to go about it but I just left that totally up to Brett (Prebble). As we've seen, the further he gets into a race, he builds nicely. Even though they got to him, you knew he was going to keep going. It was very encouraging at this stage of the spring, we've only got one more run between now and the (Melbourne) Cup which will probably be the Turnbull (Stakes). It's time to build on it and hopefully we can get him on his Melbourne leg at some stage."
"He is a very good horse. I am yet to see him have a blow so he's obviously got a great set of lungs on him so upwards and onwards. When he gets to a mile and a quarter (2000m) and he is allowed to build and roll and has a bunny instead of being the bunny, I think you are going to see a pretty exciting stayer."
On arriving from the Steve Tregea stable: "He's been with us only seven or eight weeks. He is a no frills type of horse. Steve Tregea and his team have done a tremendous job, all credit to Steve here, he has bred this horse and had him since day 1 and has remained in the ownership with the boys. Well done to Ozzie (Kheir) and Brae (Sokolski) for identifying him and convince Steve to let them in. Thankfully I've been the beneficiary of that."
On talking to Steve Tregea as both an owner and former trainer of Incentivise: "I'd be stupid not to take his advice on board. It wasn't about improving the horse, it was about trying to keep him in the same frame of mind and keeping him happy and healthy. Thankfully we've done that today at a mile and you'd think it is only going to improve as we get into the prep. He looked tremendous today, probably my greatest concern is having him in the same condition in six or eight weeks time. Steve said the further he gets into a campaign, the better he does and the more he thrives. He's thrived to this point so if he continues to go onwards and upwards, look out.
On having just one more start prior to the Melbourne Cup in the Turnbull: "I'll have a chat to Brett (Prebble), we'll take him home and see how he pulls up but I don't think he will need any more than that. He didn't have a long time off and he's kept a real good bank of residual fitness there."
Winning Jockey: Brett Prebble
Tell us about your first sit on him: "It's actually my second, first race ride. I had to ask him for a bit of speed out of the barrier, but that's totally understandable as he's coming back from longer trips.
Bearing in mind there was no leader, I was keen to take the front and when I saw Craig (Williams, Tofane) come up outside me I didn't think we would be going exceptional (quick).
"I thought he had a nice enough time in front and he got his action good and got on his right leg and it was game over.
"Once he got on his right leg, which he was at Cranbourne, I was never really doubtful, but it is different under race speed and pressure, but today he was really balanced and really relaxed which is a bonus.
"He floats along and you can feel he's not aggressive. I tried to give him as soft a run as I could just because I thought there is a long way to go.
"They came at him, I let them get up and about him and I asked him for an effort and he dug deep to the line.
"If I had asked him from the top of the straight I reckon he would have opened up and given them something to chase, but I wanted to give him an easy time, first-up at the mile and we got away with it."
Know what it takes to win a Melbourne Cup - does he feel like a horse to get you there: "He has and the figure tell you that. Figures don't lie and the ratings boys will tell you that he's rating through the roof.
"It's a long way to go, a lot of water to go under the bridge. I've been in this position before but you have to be here on the first Tuesday in November with the horse in form as well.
"I think he's good enough to win it, but, as I said, there's a lot of water to go under the bridge."
Two from two in Group 1's this season: ""I love these Group 1's."
Beaten jockeys:
Ben Allen - Sir Dragonet: "I thought he was good, especially first up. There was a little query with the track being good but he gave me a good ride, he settled well and really hit the line good. He showed a nice turn of foot for a stayer resuming. I think he's in for a big prep."
John Allen - Fifty Stars: "He was a little disappointing. We were wide but I just felt he gave up a little bit in the home straight."
Craig Newitt - Keiai Nautique: "Outstanding, outstanding."
Damien Thornton - Imaging: "He ran well."
Fred Kersley - Mount Popa: "Very happy with him, he is heading in the right direction."
Harry Coffey - Explosive Jack: "Good run. Obviously better suited for further but his action was good and he was really good through the line."
Lachie King - Johnny Get Angry: "I thought the run was good. Probably wait until next start to judge him. Get the blinkers on and he'll run a lot better."
Luke Currie - Aegon: "He bled from one nostril so he didn't finish off."
Jye McNeil - Mo'unga: "From the draw I thought he had every chance. He performed well. We weren't far away, we just couldn't catch Incentivise."
Damien Oliver - Colette: "It was a good run. She's going well and a steady tempo was a little bit against her but I was really pleased with her last 200."
Craig Williams - Tofane: "Her performance was excellent, first time at the mile and she ran it out really well. The winner deserves to be favourite for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup, winning a weight for age over 1600m. The two others who beat her home are Cox Plate winners and really good horses. It was a great performance by my mare and a great training performance."
