3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes following the Group 3 Sportsbet Zeditave Stakes won by Raikoke at Caulfield on Saturday.
Race Result:
1st: Raikoke (B Melham/M Price & M Kent Jr) - $10
2nd: Brave Mead (B Shinn/C Maher) - $2.25 fav
3rd: Scully (J Allen/A Noblet) - $101
Winning Time: 1:10.03 Last 600m: N/A
Margins: 1-½ lengths x Short Head
Raikoke
— Racing.com (@Racing) February 24, 2024
The unbeaten 3YO is a G3-winner at his second start @MickPriceRacing @BMelham pic.twitter.com/hDnehNHnKb
Winning Trainer: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr (Kent Jnr speaking)
On the win: "As soon as he won that (maiden), we said straight to the Zedative Stakes, for any horse to do that at their second start, it's impressive."
Lightly raced: "He rolled along, I thought every horse had their chance to catch him, he's having start number two so a massive effort, he's still immature this horse, he's a bit touchy in the shins during the week so we go quite soft on him so to do that at his second start is a massive effort, very good.
Progression: "Won his first trial, second trial was that of a colt, he went terribly, he was going to be a big, heavy horse, he's a big lump so we gelded him, took our time with him, great result, we took our time but it might be the making of him."
"As always, nothing on race day but he's won now so whether you aim at Sydney or something a bit brighter, a good problem to have."
Pivot City: "The other horse (Pivot City) was disappointing, I thought he'd go really well today, he's a smart horse."
Winning Jockey: Ben Melham
On the horse: "He's a big, strong, robust horse. It surprised me how well he jumped, he really got off to a flyer and found a beautiful rhythm at the top there and was able to control the tempo, never at any stage did I think he was going to get beaten."
Led all of the way: "I was surprised he (Brave Mead) wasn't up there eyeballing me, I'm not sure what happened to him, I just rode my bloke, real professional for a lightly raced horse and exciting to see what the future holds for him. I imagine he'd be better on tracks with a bit more give, too."
Potential: "He's pretty dynamic and explosive at this point in time so, lightly raced, untapped, who knows what the ceiling is."
