3 minute read

Trainer and jockey quotes after Elusive Express takes out the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes at Flemington on Saturday.

Race Result:

1st: Elusive Express (A & S Freedman/J McNeil) - $3.80F
2nd: Yearning (Team Hawkes/J Allen) - $7.00
3rd: Glint Of Hope (Busuttin & Young/C Newitt) - $9.00

Winning Time: 1:38.14 Last 600m: N/A

Margins:  ¾L x 2¼L

Top win from Elusive Express.

Yearning gave her a run for her money and ran a great race.@FreedmanRacing @JyeMcNeil pic.twitter.com/egMzXNvTRy

— Racing.com (@Racing) October 2, 2021

Winning Trainer: Anthony & Sam Freedman (Sam speaking)

"It was a lovely ride from Jye. Got him out of a tricky spot, managed to navigate into the clear. She's a filly that should keep getting better as we step her out in trip so we'll give the Thousand Guineas a thought but a race like the Ethereal might suit her a bit better.

"I think she's got the constitution to cop a prep to head towards an Oaks so we'll give that thought.

"Andy Williams and Brad Taylor sourced this filly from New Zealand. I was querying her attitude behind the gates and she has given us a bit of grief, but we've always thought she would get out to a bit of a trip.

"We did a DNA test on her which said that she'd probably be suited out to 2000 metres. We may look to head that way but it is her first preparation and we're mindful of looking after for the autumn."

On Devout Hero: "She was a little bit fresh early, a bit keen, and then got into a good rhythm. She was a bit one-paced for a bit of the time and sometimes these fillies can start to feel the pinch towards the end of a prep."

Winning Jockey: Jye McNeil

"I think a big factor was the nice, spacious track here at Flemington. I had to unbalance her a bit at the top of the straight just to obtain that run. She had to pick herself up and really finish well.

"I thought initially that Yearning on the inside was going to take a little bit of running down and be competitive but she was very strong late."