Kerrin McEvoy (Almandin): “It’s pleasing to get back on him. Obviously I would like to thank Liam Howley, Nick Williams and Lloyd Williams for the opportunity. They’ve got him in great shape today and it’s good to see him bounce back at the top level.

“He’s moving very well, he was nice and bright beforehand as Lloyd and Liam said.

“He was full of beans throughout the run, he travelled really well. He springed the lids and travelled a bit more forward than I thought we might be but he travelled really well and he was strong at the end of the 2400m today.”

Craig Williams (Ambitious): “Really impressed with his run. He’s never had form in his whole life at a mile-and-a-half, he still did a lot wrong, I can see why he’s better over shorter, but to run second to a Melbourne Cup winner at weight for age at his second run in Australia, it’s exciting times for Ambitious.”

Tye Angland (Who Shot Thebarman): “He went good. Would’ve liked to have followed the winner through but I wanted to keep my momentum up.”

Mark Zahra (Gailo Chop): “He was super but Lasqueti Spirit was a pest.”

Michael Walker (Harlem): “He ran super, gave his all.”

Jason Collett (Auvray): “Just struggled to travel most of the way, by the time I got him on the bridle he did come into it nicely but too much work leading up to it probably took away from his finish.”

Damien Oliver (Ventura Storm): “He ran better with the blinkers off and on drier ground today but I think he’s probably better suited in a handicap.”

Kathy O’Hara (Single Gaze): “Good run from her, the tempo was very solid. I think she’s probably well worth a crack at the Sydney Cup.”

Jay Ford (Lasqueti Spirit): “That was better again from her. Obviously she’s taking on the topline and she probably hasn’t made the jump from the three-year-old year to open class but it was better than what she has been doing.”