3 minute read

Trainer and jockey quotes after Instigator takes out the St Leonards Hotel BM64 Handicap at Geelong on Friday.

Race Result:

1st: Instigator (A Purcell/T Madden) - $101
2nd: King's Crossing (D O'Brien/D Lane) - $3
3rd: Figo The Great (J Warren/Z Spain) - $61

Winning Time: 2:19.06 Last 600m: N/A

Margins: Long Head x 3L

Instigator CHARGES over the top late @APurcellRacing @TomSocksMadden pic.twitter.com/Hq4wr3AUxe

— Racing.com (@Racing) April 7, 2023

Winning Trainer: Aaron Purcell

Did anyone back him at triple figure odds: "I didn't have a cent on him. He's been great and going as well as he ever has. He's always been a horse of good ability but questionable effort.

"Tom did everything that we told him to do. We told him to keep him on the bridle for as long as he could and got him out at the last minute. In the run we were happy with him, but we weren't sure whether he was going to put his ears back and have a go.

"For our benefit, he did and showed there's still a bit of life in the legs."

Any chance of running a good race today: "It was definitely a warm up run (for the jumps), but he's been good enough to run third in a Warrnambool Cup in the past. He's been in a really good frame of mind in the last few weeks. He was definitely fit enough. I thought if the horse wanted to do it, he could win, but I wasn't sure if the old boy was going to try his hardest. For our sake he did."

Winning Jockey: Tom Madden

Good to get the old boy back in the winner's stall: "He was great. I was just saying to the owners I wouldn't mind riding him over the hurdles. It all worked out great.

"Aaron gave me some pretty simple instructions. Don't force him, let him enjoy it. He was taking the 'mickey' out of me the whole the way and he did (enjoy it).

"All the gaps opened up from the 500 (metres) into the straight and he picked up well. I got busy with the whip, but it all worked out well and I know he did enough."

Did he travel like he was going to win the race: "I can't believe how well he was travelling. I watch his previous races from last season and the season before."