Find out what the jockeys said about their mounts after the running of the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington.
Brett Prebble – Incentivise
Tell us about your first sit on him: “It’s actually my second, first race ride. I had to ask him for a bit of speed out of the barrier, but that’s totally understandable as he’s coming back from longer trips.
Bearing in mind there was no leader, I was keen to take the front and when I saw Craig (Williams, Tofane) come up outside me I didn’t think we would be going exceptional (quick).
“I thought he had a nice enough time in front and he got his action good and got on his right leg and it was game over.
“Once he got on his right leg, which he was at Cranbourne, I was never really doubtful, but it is different under race speed and pressure, but today he was really balanced and really relaxed which is a bonus.
“He floats along and you can feel he’s not aggressive. I tried to give him as soft a run as I could just because I thought there is a long way to go.
“They came at him, I let them get up and about him and I asked him for an effort and he dug deep to the line.
“If I had asked him from the top of the straight I reckon he would have opened up and given them something to chase, but I wanted to give him an easy time, first-up at the mile and we got away with it.”
Knowing what it takes to win a Melbourne Cup – does he feel like a horse to get you there: “He has and the figures tell you that. Figures don’t lie and the ratings boys will tell you that he’s rating through the roof.
“It’s a long way to go, a lot of water to go under the bridge. I’ve been in this position before but you have to be here on the first Tuesday in November with the horse in form as well.
“I think he’s good enough to win it, but, as I said, there’s a lot of water to go under the bridge.”
Ben Allen – Sir Dragonet: “I thought he was good, especially first up. There was a little query with the track being good but he gave me a good ride, he settled well and really hit the line good. He showed a nice turn of foot for a stayer resuming. I think he’s in for a big prep.”
John Allen – Fifty Stars: “He was a little disappointing. We were wide but I just felt he gave up a little bit in the home straight.”
Craig Newitt – Keiai Nautique: “Outstanding, outstanding.”
Damien Thornton – Imaging: “He ran well.”
Fred Kersley – Mount Popa: “Very happy with him, he is heading in the right direction.”
Harry Coffey – Explosive Jack: “Good run. Obviously better suited for further but his action was good and he was really good through the line.”
Lachie King – Johnny Get Angry: “I thought the run was good. Probably wait until next start to judge him. Get the blinkers on and he’ll run a lot better.”
Luke Currie – Aegon: “He bled from one nostril so he didn’t finish off.”
Jye McNeil – Mo’unga: “From the draw I thought he had every chance. He performed well. We weren’t far away, we just couldn’t catch Incentivise.”
Damien Oliver – Colette: “It was a good run. She’s going well and a steady tempo was a little bit against her but I was really pleased with her last 200.”
Craig Williams – Tofane: “Her performance was excellent, first time at the mile and she ran it out really well. The winner deserves to be favourite for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup, winning a weight for age over 1600m. The two others who beat her home are Cox Plate winners and really good horses. It was a great performance by my mare and a great training performance.”
