Read what each of the jockeys said about their rides in the 2024 Champions Sprint at Flemington.
James McDonald (Sunshine In Paris): “I was rapt when the camera started following me. All that matters is that the number’s in the frame. I’m so thrilled for Annabel, and John the owner. Obviously they took a bit of a risk backing her up from Sydney, but she’s a beautiful mare. Geez, she gave me a good ride.”
Jye McNeil (Right To Party): “Absolutely terrific run. To give those horses that start and finish like she did, I thought was a great effort.”
Craig Williams (Bella Nipotina): “She’s a phenomenal racehorse and what we’ve asked her to do, you can see how she’s so competitive again today. What a great and amazing mare and looking forward to when she comes back.”
Luke Nolen (Stretan Angel): “Very good run. I think there’s another race for her at the end of the year and she’s in great order.”
Damian Lane (Private Life): “He ran great. Acquitted himself well and handled himself professionally. Just beaten for a turn-of-foot but was really getting home well late.”
Ben Allen (Baraqiel): “I thought he ran well. He’s just more effective around a bend.”
Mark Zahra (Giga Kick): “They probably didn’t go as quick as we’d hoped and he did pull his way into not a bad spot but just left me nothing to finish off with.”
Josh Parr (Overpass): “Lacked his usual turn-of-foot and was a little bit soft the last bit. No apparent reason after the race.”
Ben Melham (Estriella): “Just struggles at six-furlongs in this company but I think now that she’s a bit older, I think next preparation if they started riding her a bit patiently, she’ll be ok.”
Nash Rawiller (Lady Laguna): “Raced a little bit upside down today unfortunately.”
Michael Dee (Bellatrix Star): “She travelled well and then when the pressure came on, she just didn’t raise it up. See how she pulls up.”
Dylan Browne McMonagle (I Am Unstoppable): “I didn’t jump good, but I got into a good rhythm quick, I travelled well to the halfway but I didn’t find much under pressure.”