3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes following the Benchmark 100 Mal Seccull Handicap won by Desert Icon at Caulfield on Saturday.
Race Result:
1st: Desert Icon (D Thornton/C Waller) - $2.80F
2nd: Guizot (L Meech/A Purcell) - $15
3rd: Criminal Code (B Prebble/C Waller) - $8.50
Winning Time: 1:48.64 Last 600m: N/A
Margins: 2¾L x Neck
"But Desert Icon is destroying them!"
— Racing.com (@Racing) February 5, 2022
It was a dominant display from the @cwallerracing-trained galloper. pic.twitter.com/APyIgSPpzD
Winning Trainer: Chris Waller (rep by Jo Taylor)
"I would say he has done a good job and (maybe) the float trips bring them on a touch.
"He's obviously, as everyone has seen from when he arrived in the country to when he raced, it was quite a lengthy time so it has just taken him a few runs to get up to that fitness that he needs to put in a dominant performance like he did today."
"Based on what we saw today I think we can definitely see him step out over time over further. I'm sure Chris will pick the right races and we'll see him being competitive."
Winning Jockey: Damien Thornton
"I have seen him race this prep. To be fair, I have galloped him a couple of times this prep at Flemington and he's always felt like he's got it.
"He was really good in Sydney last start ridden on speed and the plan was to be third or fourth with a bit of cover today but Holbein didn't jump so I took matters into my own hands and control the race myself.
"Knowing that he was fit coming back from 2000 metres to 1800, I was happy to roll along and control the race.
"Ziegfeld was quite keen outside me so I was mindful to go too slow so I rated him where he was comfortable and he did a really good job.
"I think (over) 2000 he's no worries. He obviously proved that last time where he just go nutted on the line at Randwick.
"Class-wise, this was a benchmark 100, basically an open handicap so he'll go up in the rating points to listed and Group 3, I would think.
"After that he'll tell us. He's probably better than this grade."
