3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes following the Asian Racing Federation Trophy won by Nobel Heights at Flemington on Saturday.
Race Result:
1st: Nobel Heights (D Lane/M Cumani) - $11
2nd: Arran Bay (Z Spain/P Stokes) - $6.50
3rd: Independent Road (J McNeil/B & JD Hayes) - $6
Winning Time: 2:03.68 Last 600m: N/A
Margins: 1¼L x ½ Neck
"Damian Lane again!"
— Racing.com (@Racing) February 18, 2023
A little freshen-up & back to 2000m did the trick for Nobel Heights @LaneDamian @CumaniRacing pic.twitter.com/Hq3Bv9UGni
Winning Trainer: Matt Cumani
"We gave him a little bit of a let-up after the Bagot and we were always a little bit disappointed with that run. He got caught up in a fast early tempo over a bit of distance so the plan was to give him a bit of a break so that we can go to some nice races later on early in the autumn.
"We freshened him up a little bit, that kept him going, and he got a masterful ride from Damian Lane.
"We were a bit worried from the gate and he rode him like the best horse and it worked.
"I think he showed that he's the best horse in the race and on the line he was going quite strong. But the key when you're caught three or four wide is not to panic or not go down to the rail.
"He (Lane) had an opportunity to go down to the rail and I think it was a good move that he didn't because he does like to use his stride a bit and if he got caught behind other horses he might struggle to get out.
"So it was a nice patient ride which was exactly what you needed on quite clearly the best horse in the race."
Future - Mornington Cup: "Definitely. The key is whether we go to next. We were looking at the Victoria Gold Cup next weekend and I'm quite keen if he keeps winning racing to keep his handicap mark down as low as possible.
"There's a BM84 at Bendigo, we might go there. We'll see what mark we get out of this."
Winning Jockey: Damian Lane
"I haven't ridden him for a little while now but that (last time) was back on a wet track after a spell, so today was the first after a freshen - a little break in between runs - on firmer ground which really suited him.
"Great effort by Matt to bring him back in trip with a few weeks in between runs. I just cuddled him with that break but he was able to produce at the right time and having that freshness in his legs he was able to sprint well at the end of the race."
