Kingsford Smith Cup 2024 – What the jockeys said

See what the jockeys had to say about their rides in the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm on 1/6/2024.

Luke Nolen (I Wish I Win): “I’ve done a lot on this horse. Obviously, I was a bit disappointed being off but we made amends today.

“Some days you’re at the top and other days you’re at the bottom, so you take each day as it comes. I was pretty down, but these experiences are character building. I’ve got plenty of bloody character now, don’t worry.

“Obviously I’ve got a lot to do with the Moody/Coleman yard and 40 Group 1s. One ride in the day and I didn’t know where I was going on Sunday, so I’m very grateful.”

Craig Williams (Bella Nipotina): “Credit to the winner. Amazing athlete. Amazing horse. Credit to my mare and Ciaron Maher. She was under a vet cloud yesterday and you could see how she performed. She turned up today healthy and in great order. We were just denied, beaten by a bloody good horse. She’s a pleasure to ride and fought her heart out.”

Jamie Kah (In Secret): “Super effort. It is pretty testing conditions out there and she’s just peaked late. Can’t fault the horse.”

Tim Clark (Freedom Rally): “Really encouraging effort. He was very courageous there and beaten only a couple of lengths by the best sprinters.”

Blake Shinn (Think About It): “He had a nice run. Got into a prominent spot one-out and one-back. Presented to win and didn’t go on with it. Wasn’t the Think About It we know, so there might be something there.”

Vlad Duric (Antino): “Really good. It was run pretty pedestrian, the race. When we were back in the field, when the quickened they left him a length and he has made that ground up and a bit extra in the straight. Mathematically at set level weights and the way the race was run, he closed good enough for two weeks’ time.”

Billy Egan (Uncommon James): “Weight-for-age, 1300-metres, just found him out.”

Michael Dee (Magic Time): “She actually stumbled quite badly out of the gates and lost her shoe. I think it was the barrier boys who came back with it and it was all twisted and mangled, so as soon as we jumped we were on the back foot and she never felt comfortable at all. Big excuse there.”

Tommy Berry (Osipenko): “It was a pass mark.”

Nash Rawiller (Espiona): “She didn’t go a yard. Just showing a few signs she might be coming in season. To be fair to her, it doesn’t matter what goes on in a race, she always does something for you. She finds the line and wants to impress you.”