3 minute read

Trainer and jockey quotes after Sneaky Five claims the Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.

Race Result:

1st: Sneaky Five (Linda Meech/Ciaron Maher & Dave Eustace) - $26
2nd: New York Baby (Damien Oliver/Leon & Troy Corstens) - $7
3rd: Crystal Bound (Jye McNeil/Ciaron Maher & Dave Eustace) - $4.40

Winning Time: 1:10.95 Last 600m: N/A

Margins:  ¾L x ½ Neck

What a return from Sneaky Five!

Great result for @RosemontStud. @cmaherracing @MelbRacingClub pic.twitter.com/Ik84ty5szu

— Racing.com (@Racing) October 9, 2021

Winning Trainer: Ciaron Maher & Dave Eustace (Dave speaking)

"The story of the Sneaky Five is well told. Great to see her bounce back. She was obviously a long time off the track and the team have done a great job just to get her back and firing.

"To be honest, we really didn't expect that. She is a bit of a sleeper at home. She'll come on plenty for it.

"She just didn't come up in the spring in her work and she had quite a tough spring campaign as a two-year-old. She ran two race and won on a wet track. We made the decision to give her a good long break.

"She went to the farm at Rosemont who have been really supportive the whole way through. They allowed us to take our time and tell us when she's ready. She proved that she is and she is going to kick on from there."

On Floating Artist: "There was lots of pros and cons. We thought the track was firm today, which it is, and Wednesday there is a bit of rain around and the trip as well - 2000 metres - we thought that would suit better.

"He's in good form and we're looking forward to Wednesday."

Winning Jockey: Linda Meech

"If you knew what was going through my head at the 1000 metre mark you probably would have cancelled all your bets on it.

"I was giving myself the biggest 'pay'. 'What are you doing, you're all over its mouth, you've really stuffed this up'.

"We wanted to go back. She's been out for almost a year. There was speed in the race and we just didn't want to crucify her from the wide gate.

"She was 'all business' today. I rode her two months ago at Donald and I thought maybe she hadn't come back but a huge effort by Dave and Ciaron, they've got her here with such a big gap and is three from three.

"She's very impressive.

"I was cursing myself at the 1200, the 1000, the 800, the home turn. Even until I got past the post I thought I'd slaughtered it and gone too soon. It all worked out. Good horses make good jockeys, I suppose.

"Maybe it wasn't as bad as I thought it was."