Pride Of Jenni wins the Champions Mile. Picture: Racing Photos
CHAMPIONS MILE - JOCKEYS COMMENTS
Declan Bates (Pride Of Jenni) “The love for this horse. She’s proven now that it wasn’t a fluke last week and she’s a champion, I believe.
“Few people have said to me that I stole it last week and it is a discredit to her to say that I stole it because I think I’m happy with how I executed the tactics, but they are tactics that you can’t employ on many horses. You need a horse with a serious engine and a will to win.
“I think we are made for each other.”
On the run: “She began nicely but didn’t come out running strong underneath me straightaway. I didn’t want to go out and repeat what I’d done. I just wanted to ride her as I found her and through the first 400 (metres) today she was a lot more relaxed and that was key today against those better horses.
“She relaxed through the first half which allowed me to wind her up a long way out and she was able to sustain it.
“I had a look at the screen at the top of the straight and I knew I had a nice enough gap. I needed that gap in order to win and she’s so tough.”
Owners Tony and Lyn Ottobre influence: “Riding for Tony and Lyn has been life changing for me now. Very grateful for them. He puts a lot of time and effort into his horses but also a lot of love and attention. He really loves them deeply.
“To be his jockey is a privileged position and it is fantastic to reward them.”
Craig Williams (Mr Brightside): “He’s a star, isn’t he? We just didn’t win today. His performance was amazing, don’t take any credit away from the eventual winner, she was tough and dominant, Vo Rogue-style, but when I straightened up, I thought I was under a lot of pressure, and it just shows you how good my horse is. Mr Brightside is such a good, tenacious horse. Twelve months later (ago) he wouldn’t be able to do what he did today, so it’s really exciting to see how he comes back in the autumn, or maybe they’ll find another race for him. The Hayes boys have got such a good handle on this horse, he looks fabulous, he’s performing fantastic but unfortunately the only thing we didn’t do today was win.”
Tim Clark (Alligator Blood): “He was very brave. He got within a length of the winner and then probably just felt the effects of a long prep. The last little bit he was out on his feet, but he’s done a wonderful job.”
James McDonald (Fangirl): “Good run, she’s had a great preparation and she’ll come back good.”
Damien Oliver (The Inevitable): “He had a good run, ran a great race, just got a little crowded for room in the straight, but if I was going better I would have been able to push through it. He’s run a huge race, finished right between Fangirl and Mr Brightside, so great effort.”
John Allen (Bankers Choice): “I think he ran OK, a little bit outclassed, but I think he’s going well enough for the right race.”
Blake Shinn (Victoria Road): “He sat third in the run, travelled nice, when the pressure went on, he was just found wanting a touch.”
WATCH: Pride of Jenni's second straight G1 at Flemington