He’s spent a lot of his career chasing Winx, but it was Hartnell’s turn for another day in the sun. Find out what the jockeys made of their mounts in the Group 1 TAB Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Royal Randwick.
Hugh Bowman (Hartnell): “He never runs a bad race this horse, I have only ever ridden him in one race, the All Aged Stakes last year which is a bit short for him but James (Cummings) has kept him to shorter trips since taking over the head role of Godolphin.
“I was very happy going to the start, he just felt in good order but that doesn’t tell the tale, I ended up with a really nice run and I was able to work into it, I did see James (McDonald) go through and hit the lead and I thought I am not going to catch that horse because I know the talent that he has got.
“I didn’t rush through my gears, this horse has to be balanced to be at his best so I didn’t rush I just let him get organised and I could sense I was going to get to D’Argento and I was surprised I didn’t beat him a bit more comfortably to be honest in the end, but I am just so proud and so excited.”
Corey Brown (Pierata): “I was a little disappointed. The winner half lengthed him and shoved him back a pair. Speed was good. Didn’t have that electric sprint that he has.”
James McDonald (D’Argento): “Went unreal. Can’t believe he got run down.”
Michael Walker (Shillelagh): “2000m in two weeks time.”
Glyn Schofield (Duca Valentinois): “Nice enough run. He ran accordingly.”
Kathy O’Hara (Single Gaze): “She did nothing again today. I imagine she will probably be retired, go to the breeding barn and produce nice babies.”
Kerrin McEvoy (Unforgotten): “Big run. She had trouble with the tempo up the back. Had to make up a lot of ground in the straight. Huge run.”
Jason Collett (Mister Sea Wolf): “He worked home good.”
Tim Clark (Arbeitsam): “Really good effort. Went along. The track is probably not racing to his style. I thought it was a great effort.”
Jay Ford (Religify): “Disappointing today.”
Rachel King (Lanciato): “He’s more effective over the 1400m.”
Dean Yendall (Tom Melbourne): “He was too keen.’
Craig Newitt (Champagne Cuddles): “Wide gate made it too big a task for her.”
Damien Thornton (Red Excitement): “Better run than what it looks.”
Craig Williams (New Tipperary): “His outside barrier draw was detrimental to his chances in that grade of horse.”
James Innes Jnr (Siege Of Quebec): “He ran great. A lot of merit to the run. He got crowded and needed to get momentum again.”
Andrew Adkins (Invictus Prince): “Good run.”
Cory Parish (Muraaqeb): “Super run. A very gutsy effort.”
Jean Van Overmeire (Goodfella): “He ran an OK race in stronger company.”
Michael Dee (Paret): “I was slow from the barriers but he got home OK.”
Jockey quotes courtesy Racing NSW