Champions Mile – Jockey Commentary

CHAMPIONS MILE – JOCKEY COMMENTS

Craig Williams (Mr Brightside) About his combination with Mr Brightside: “I’m really lucky. Since he came here to Australia and had his second race start and his third race start ever and I worked with him, we’ve had a great partnership.

“I spoke to Ben Hayes, his trainer, about when we started him when he went to Geelong Maidens and went through all his grades, what they developed – this great horse today.

“He has had a great preparation. He won the Makybe Diva Stakes here. The grand finale was the Cox Plate, he ran fourth but rode a phenomenal race. They came here today for the Champions Mile, with all these horses, they chose blinders for the first time and he was the right product today. So all credit to their team. And of course, Mr. B, he has no BS in him and he’s just a real competitor. He did all the running and fighting today. Thanks buddy. ”

On the run: “I was able to use a very good barrier today with him. The horse is just so well prepared and I had the right horse to do what we wanted. We raced Pride Of Jenni to know how to be, and I just had the right horse today. It was pretty amazing. I felt like a passenger for most of the race.”

How can this man continue to perform so well against our elite? “It’s one of those sticking moments to be part of this horse. His third ever race start of his career and it has been an amazing journey with him. It’s his development. Credit goes to the training partnership with the Hayes boys, because Mr. Brightside was not this horse when he started. They developed him, they gained his trust, he got stronger, he got better, he believed in himself and now he is this type of horse. All credit goes to the boys, of course, but also to the product of Mr Brightside, who simply likes to win. And again, there was a gear change during his preparation, but when he walked around the yard today he was just moving and he felt great. Even his Cox Plate performance was better than when he was narrowly beaten on time the year before. It was great for him to get another group 1 during this preparation because it is not easy, they are great horses, but it just gives me a great thrill.

The feeling in blinders: “He traveled much better. He jumped really well and Nick Hall was at the top of the fence. I just said he feels more professional today and he’s really excited, but he’s actually felt that way the last few runs. Since Caulfield, Moonee Valley has been great, I just didn’t get the result. Today he was great and got the result.

Take us to the final stages of the race: “I saw Mark wide and Antino is a good horse. The only concern I had was after I achieved it and he went, hopefully he got to see the competition, but he had nothing else in mind that I get to that winning post as quickly as I can. Because of his longevity, he slows down a lot slower than all those other top horses, so that’s what makes him remarkable at his age.”

Where is he now in your incredible riding career? “He is the horse I have won the most races with. I’ve been very lucky in my career and very lucky with horses like him and Bella Nipotina, but you know, they line up every day, we demand and ask from them to be the best horse they can be, against the best opposition and luckily for me, they usually are. I am very, very grateful and happy.”

Mark Zahra (Antino): “He ran a great race, had great foot movement, he (Mr. Brightside) just couldn’t get anywhere on the inside. He’s a good horse, Mr. Brightside.”Nash Rawiller (My Oberon): “He clearly didn’t put his best foot forward today. He traveled in a beautiful place, just didn’t give the kick he normally does and there was really no need to knock him over afterwards. He didn’t show up at all today and maybe he had had enough.”

James McDonald (Fangirl): “She was great, she really put her best foot forward and ran very well.”

Chad Schofield (Stefi Magnetica): “She ran a great race. We had a nice run, we took the gap at the right time, she sprinted and fought very well. I thought it was really good for them to get a head start as she is a horse on her way up.

Damian Lane (Amelia’s Jewel): “She ran great, probably just close to that high speed. She presented herself very well but was just a bit of a sitting duck and it took a few good ones to get past her, so I thought she was brave and honest.

Dylan Browne Mcmonagle (New Energy): “He ran well, traveled strong in the run, they didn’t go overly fast – I thought we’d go a bit faster which would suit my guy – but I had to check 300 meters and go again, but h’s felt the line was a was a good ad, so it had a lot of promise and I hope it continues to improve.

Ben Allen (pinstripe): “He went quite wide. It was a quality pitch, he still ran great, but I feel he is better around Caulfield.

Josh Parr (Von Hauke): “He actually performed quite well. I switched back to the inside, which probably wasn’t the right thing to do, but he finished the race well.”

Michael Dee (widening): “He absolutely flew out of the gate today, so the way he jumped and with the weight I thought we were better off rolling to the front. He traveled wonderfully, but probably couldn’t handle that pressure today.”

Ben Melham (Pride of Jenni): “Unfortunately, she only had a small bleed.”