3 minute read

Trainer and jockey quotes after Russian Alliance takes out the Group 3 TAB Ken Russell Memorial Classic at Sunshine Coast on Saturday.

Race Result:

1st: Russian Alliance (K Kemp/L Cassidy) - $4.50
2nd: Abounding (R Heathcote/T Clark) - $16
3rd: Trifling (Ms H Page/B Thompson) - $14

Winning Time: 1:11.28 Last 600m: 35.38

Margins: Nose x 2.25 lengths

Russian Alliance fights back to score in a thrilling finish! pic.twitter.com/9WMw5VMRHD

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 6, 2023

Winning Trainer: Kevin Kemp

Five wins in a row: "It's easy to train the good ones. She was so good today, that's my first Group 3 win as a trainer so we can go and celebrate with a few drinks now!"

The way the race panned out: "I was a bit worried 100 metres out, because I thought the other horse had us beat. But she showed great fight and she's just a beautiful filly."

Next steps: "We'll come up with a plan after we've had those drinks! It's just nice to win this one, we'll worry about the next race next week."

Winning Jockey: Larry Cassidy

First Group 3 for Kevin: "It's great to be a part of it. I rode the filly at her first start, and I've always really liked her. I was pretty pleased when he came to town with her, and I knew she'd be hard to beat today because she's just so gutsy. We got pole-axed down the back straight and she's not that big, but she withstood it."

Step up in trip: "I don't think further will be any trouble, she should get 1400 metres no problem. I'll leave it to Kevin but I would've thought she should have a crack at some good races over the carnival, because she's earned it."