3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes after Big Watch claims the VRC Punters Club Sprint at Flemington on Saturday.
Race Result:
1st: Big Watch (J Mott/M Moroney) - $5.50 equal fav
2nd: Ivan's Hero (D Lane/C Waller) - $5.50 equal fav
3rd: Master Montaro (J McNeil/B, W & JD Hayes) - $5.50 equal fav
Winning Time: 1:11.47 Last 600m: N/A
Margins: Half Head x Half Head
Big Watch arrives in the nick of time
— Racing.com (@Racing) March 2, 2024
The Shamus Award gelding secures his second-straight win for @BallymoreStabls. @jamieleemott pic.twitter.com/rO58tThT4m
Winning Trainer: Michael Moroney
On the win: "I thought he got up the last stride but I was worried, it didn't quite go to plan… he needs cover and he just never got it throughout the whole race and he got over racing and arrived there a little bit soon but I've just got a funny feeling Jamie (Mott) waited for the real surge very late because he knows the horse and I think if there was anyone else on he definitely wouldn't have won, he knows the horse very well now."
NZ Derby day: "It's a race we've won three or four times, of course the most famous of them was Xcellent, but then I won it with Great Command a long time ago… Darren Beadman actually came across to ride him. Great day's racing and it was good to see when I was back there, the vibe is back in New Zealand racing, which goes to show you can hit the bottom and get back up because they were on the bottom. They've really kicked back and it's great to see."
Winning Jockey: Jamie Mott
Did things go to plan: "Not at all. He's a horse that normally sits off the speed and relaxes and sprints straight but today, as he did last start, he relaxed straight and sprinted good so I was expecting him to do the same, and there was a spot for me to get behind Master Montaro but I just couldn't get him there, he jumped straight on the bridle, he was keen, I was definitely worried throughout the race and even late, has he got enough to hold off but the horse is going terrific, he really enjoys the straight, it was a good effort to hold on."
More to come: "I was confident he's going as good as he can and he's in his right race, but even still they can still do things wrong early and obviously he's been able to get away with it today, because he'll be stepping up in grade after today, hopefully he can do things a little bit better."
Turned tables on Master Montaro: "I think my horse is probably a better horse to be honest with you, Mike wasn't sure he was ready for the 1300 (metres) so I'd kind of forget about that run, I was confident going off our last start that he'd bounced out well, albeit I didn't expect him to be on speed pulling but he was good enough to overcome that and it was a really good win."
