3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes following the Group 2 James Squire Expressway Stakes won by King Of Sparta at Randwick on Saturday.
Race Result:
1st: King Of Sparta (P&P Snowden/J McDonald) - $4
2nd: Coal Crusher (J Pride/T Schiller) - $10
3rd: Malkovich (B Baker/J Parr) - $13
Winning Time: 1:09.17 Last 600m: 34.62
Margins: Long Neck x Neck
King Of Sparta goes bang in the Group 2 Expressway!@mcacajamez @SnowdenRacing1 pic.twitter.com/TINkdyYitr
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 17, 2024
Winning Trainer: Peter and Paul Snowden (Paul speaking)
On the rich vein of form: "He's in great form. As we've handled him the last few years it's really working with him. Little breaks in between, less is more for him. He's certainly paying us the dividends now."
On the fast tempo: "We spoke at length before, we just wanted to back the horse's ability. If they do go a little bit hard, which we did think it was on the cards, to get him home and James (McDonald) rode him accordingly. We got the best out of him late, which was great.
On what's next between now and The Quokka in WA: "It's a juggling act I suppose. How we want to prepare him to get him over there in as good a order as we can. We'll make that call probably in the next week or so but maybe just a trial. Obviously we've got to compensate with the plane trip over. It's really exciting for the ownership group and exciting for the horse to race for really good money. I know he's been a great money-spinner for them, but it's going to be a good trip away."
Winning Jockey: James McDonald
Was he confident?: "I was actually. Lobbed into a lovely spot and the pace really quickened from the 600m. I just had to bide my time a little bit and he come up the rise under his own steam even though I was spotting them so far. He's got a lethal turn of foot. He's just a good horse, he's so solid."
On the feel he gives him: "He felt like that at the Gold Coast too, for some reason he just feels unbeatable. When you're riding them in small fields and he's got a lethal turn of foot like that it gets you out of trouble."
Beaten Jockeys:
Tyler Schiller (Coal Crusher): "I don't think he can go much better. Especially without his blinkers. I think he has gone to his best. Only just nabbed late and he's come back in fine form."
Zac Lloyd (Golden Mile): "Obviously a bit disappointing but the horse has a lot of improvement to come. He will take benefit from that run today."
Nash Rawiller (Buenos Noches): "I thought he went outstanding. Didn't get much luck early. Was forced to travel two lengths further back than I liked. He went outstanding."
Tommy Berry (Strait Acer): "Really proud of him today. He is a much more relaxed type this preparation and did everything right off the back of one trial, he got tired at the furlong but is in for a good prep."
Josh Parr (Malkovich): "I let him be fast today which I didn't do last time. I think I got it wrong last start and we nearly pulled it off today."
Brock Ryan (West Of Dalby): "Good run. Obviously a bit of a task for her against the older horses today but it will put her in good stead for two weeks' time."
