Ball Of Muscle had run second in the past three editions of the race but got his dues in the $200,000 G2 Bowmermans Office Furniture Shorts (1100m).

Glyn Schofield (Ball Of Muscle): “He just comes out really quick, his foot is flat from the word go. I was lucky that I could gather him mid race and while he want to high roll I just was able to hold onto him for 100m or so around the side and he just found enough late. He’s beaten Everest horses in his last two starts.”

Hugh Bowman (Brave Smash): “I was delighted with him, I really was. I thought I was going to explode when I got out but my impression is he did explode but he was beside two explosive horses.”

Tye Angland (The Monstar): “Good run, did everything right and is probably a horse that will appreciate coming down the outside.”

Tim Clark (English): “She just blew out late a few of them other horses had had a run, she will improve a lot of improvement from it and it wasn’t ideal losing the plate at the gates. She pulled a bit of foot off as well but getting to The Everest she will be alright.”

Corey Brown (Big Money): “I think his career may have nearly come to and end he was okay but he has just lost that fighting spirit and is not the horse he used to be.”

Robert Thompson (After All That): “He went absolutely super, really tickled pink with his run and he will only improve off that as well.”

James McDonald (Invincible Star): “Very happy with that, was unlucky not to win but I think you could take it as good as a win because she travelled well, sprinted really good and last time she stopped but today she found the line really well.”

Jockey quotes courtesy Racing NSW