3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes following the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning won by Imperatriz at Flemington on Saturday.
Race Result:
1st: Imperatriz (O Bosson/M Walker) - $1.60F
2nd: Private Eye (B Shinn/J Pride) - $5
3rd: Espiona (M Dee/C Waller) - $26
Winning Time: 57.54 Last 600m: N/A
Margins: Long Head x ½L
SHE'S JUST TOO GOOD!
— Racing.com (@Racing) February 17, 2024
Imperatriz wins her 9th G1 in the Lightning Stakes
@TeAkauRacing pic.twitter.com/f3fKvSIoRP
Winning Trainer: Mark Walker
The last 12 days: "Oh well, good horses they probably save their best for race day. It was a lacklustre trial, it really was, ut when we galloped her on Monday we were really happy with her.
"Just a gun ride by Opie today. It was a really tactical affair and he used the initiative but it is a relief.
Can she go to another level again: "She's a gem, really, to do it in the spring and come back and win like that. Full credit to the second horse. He's a really good horse and he stuck it to her today so I think you saw two really good horses fight out an exciting finish."
Next: "We'll just get her through today and see how she is and come up with a plan going forward."
Winning Jockey: Opie Bosson
"She was alway travelling beautifully and just kept creeping up and creeping up. Once I went for her late, she found that kick that she always has.
"She's a race day horse and she's proven that. Like myself, I don't really like going to the trials either.
Added pressure today: "There was a bit because of that trial but Mark has been over here and said she's 100% and when he says that, he's right."
The plan into the race and through it: "I had about ten plans, really, but the plan was if she jumped well to not pull her back and let her slide up where she is happy and get into her own rhythm. I didn't expect Private Eye to lead.
"Every time I gave her a little squeeze she'd come underneath me and she changed legs at the right time and when I really had to got for it I knew she had that bit extra and she pulled away at the end."
What he thought of the trial: "To be honest, I was a little bit worried but Mark has been over all week and he assured me that she is 100%. When he knows one is on it is on."
1000m could he her best: "It could be. We were trying to get her to a mile for those weight-for-age races because there's not much back home. She is by far the best sprinter and best horse I've ridden.
"I'll be back on Friday and I'll have a good chat with Ben and work it out."
Beaten Jockeys:
Blake Shinn (Private Eye): "The horse ran amazing. No pressure early and we ended up leading which wasn't ideal. The mare came at me, he was up for the challenge but she pulled out enough so it is no disgrace to run where he did.
Luke Currie (The Astrologist): "He ran OK but they were a bit sharp for him."
Craig Williams (Bella Nipotina): "They're the best sprinters that we have at weight-for-age, 1000 metres at Flemington. There are no hiding spots. You can see how good and competitive my mare is against them and we were just off them today. We just needed a few more things in our favour to get on terms with them."
Michael Dee (Espiona): "Massive run. I was always confident she was going to run a great race and that she did. I thought we were going to go close to winning when we peeled out to make a run but unfortunately the first two - the two class horses of the race - gave just as good a kick but we were pulling ground off them late."
Mark Zahra (Rich Fortune): "Ran well. Didn't disgrace herself. Good race."
Damian Lane (Cylinder): "He ran well. Unfortunately first and second controlled the race and I was strung up behind them for too long. When they have it that easy through the first half you're never going to get them to make any ground on those sorts of horses."
Jamie Kah (I Am Unstoppable): "It was a disappointing run the way he has been going lately, he's been flying I thought. A bit went wrong then but not enough to run like that so they're going to go over him to make sure there's nothing wrong with him."
