It was the Victorians that stole NSW’s biggest prize with The Everest taken out by the Clayton Douglas-trained Giga Kick.
Craig Williams (Giga Kick – Winner)
“Clayton Douglas, you talk about how young of a trainer he is but he’s well before his time. I’m just lucky to have been part of the ride. My team around me, my family, thank you for everything throughout the years. This is a really big thrill. The inaugural running of it five years ago I finished second on Vega Magic and I thought we had unfinished business.”
“He planned to give him a gap between his first and his next run into the Danehill at Flemington, he told me to come down and jump on him and Clayton said ‘Craig this horse has absolutely improved four lengths. Come down and trial him.”
“‘Actually we might not be 12 months behind schedule at all.’ Then what he did the other day in the Danehill, and trusting Clayton as the horseman that he is, with a horse that he’s got and given the opportunity from Pinecliff (connections) and of course James Harron (slot holder) who had a tough decision. Thanks for his support in our confidence in the horse, but again the equine athlete, the legend on this track today is Giga Kick.”
Brenton Avdulla (Private Eye – Second)
“He was awesome. I have always been a big fan of him. To see him sprint at that level. I thought I was the winner there for two strides. I had the big horse covered in front of me and then the 3yo got me late. He was awesome.”
Sam Clipperton (Mazu – 3rd)
“I couldn’t have been more proud of his effort today. He’s gone super. A different horse to what I have ever ridden today. All he wanted to do was relax. Good signs for the future. It opens up his options. He’s a very good horse now but he’s a superstar in the making being a 4yo. Who knows what is ahead for him.”
James McDonald (Nature Strip – 4th)
“Very proud of him. He ran really well. Obviously just off the course a bit and got taken wider on the bend. That was race done.”
Damien Lane (Jacquinot – 5th)
“Great run. Just beaten for a little speed early. Travelled into the race well but just didn’t handle coming up the rise that well and we lost a bit of momentum. Once he gathered himself he finished off really well.”
Rachel King (Overpass – 6th)
“Really proud of this horse this prep. He has bounced back off that second up run. Ran his heart out today.”
Hugh Bowman (Kementari – 7th)
“Really courageous. The speed was too much but he tried his heart out. Proud of him.”
Kerrin McEvoy (Shades Of Rose – 8th)
“She presented and ran a fantastic race. She just found it a little bit hot the last 100m but good run all the same.”
William Pike (Masked Crusader – 9th)
“We blew the start and our chances went out the window then.”
Tom Sherry (Joyful Fortune – 10th)
“Big expectations and handled himself quite well. Thought I was a bit of chance at the top of the straight. Just gave way the last bit. Will be good when he drops back to 1000/1100m.”
Nash Rawiller (Eduardo – 11th)
“Ran well below his best. He gave me a fair indication that he has pulled up very sore. I was concerned with his action by the time we got to the 600m.”
Glyn Schofield (Ingratiating – 12th)
“They went too fast for me. I was chasing the race the whole way. Never had a chance to travel on the bridle for me. Couldn’t finish off.”
