3 minute read

Trainer and jockey quotes following the Provincial Championships Final won by Cristal Breeze at Randwick on Saturday.

Race Result:

1st: Cristal Breeze (IRE) (Hugh Bowman/Kris Lees) - $6.50
2nd: Pandano (James McDonald/Paul Perry) - $2.35F
3rd: Live In The Fast Lane (Craig Williams/Robert & Luke Price) - $26

Winning Time: 1:22.97 Last 600m: 36.23

Margins: Half Neck x 1 ¼L

Cristal Breeze takes out the Polytrack Provincial Championships Final for @Leesracing & @HugeBowman #TheChampionships pic.twitter.com/Teq1kLpZza

— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 17, 2021

Winning Trainer: Kris Lees

On setting him for the race series: "It's rare when you set a plan from back in last winter, we put him away with this race in mind. Brought him up really slowly and it was great that he could produce on the day. The barrier draw (13 after scratchings) came out and we were a little concerned, but he got a lovely run and he looked the winner. But geez the favourite (Pandano), he's a tough horse and he fought back but we were able to get there in the finish."

On qualifying in an early heat: "I thought that was the strongest heat. We spaced his runs, he had one little tick over run where he ran well at Warwick Farm a couple of weeks ago and that topped him off nicely for today."

On getting Bowman for the ride: "He's a great asset to be able to get on your horse when he's available. It certainly helps in a big race."

On the quality of the race: "I think you've got to be a genuine Saturday horse at least to win these races. Some years they are probably stakes horses. I'd say this year they are genuine Saturday horses and he could measure up in better races."

On Australian Bloodstock having five runners: "It's a great advertisement for syndication and for New South Wales racing. I think it's really well received."

Winning Jockey: Hugh Bowman

Onto the big one: "Hopefully an entree for what might come later on."

On the prep: "This horse has been prepped for the race and he obviously qualified nice and early so Kris was able to prepare home to peak on the day and that is exactly what has happened.

On the run: "Our confidence was dented a little with the barrier draw but fortunately with a nice genuine pace I found myself with a nice run midfield, which is what we hoped for, and he was the strongest horse late. "

Beaten Jockeys:

James McDonald (Pandano): "Super."

Brenton Avdulla (Animate): "He had a lovely run. Probably over travelled a bit more than I wanted him to and just didn't finish off."

Robbie Brewer (Prince Aurelius): "He stopped very quickly. Something must be wrong."

Jason Collett (Darleb): "Played up in the barriers. Not likely down the straight."

Tom Marquand (Loch Lomond): "Ran super for an inexperienced horse. No doubt races like this will be well within his realm with more experience."

Glen Boss (Gemmahra): "Horrible."

Jay Ford (Electric Girl): "She ran super. Got back further than intended. Just needed to find clear runnin a bit sooner."

Kerrin McEvoy (Game Of Thorns): "Didn't step well but finished off well."

Jess Taylor (La Jolie Fille): "Would have preferred to be a pair further back."

Tim Clark (Zeftabrook): "She races too free to run out a strong seven."

Kathy O'Hara (Grace Bay): No comment.

Craig Williams (Liveinthefastlane): "Really impressed by his performance today. Wide draw but we found the back of the eventual winner. Felt the ground might have been a bit firm for her at her best. Thought she ran well."

Rachel King (Diva Bella): "Really super run. Just wish we'd drawn a better gate."

Tommy Berry (High Court): "Had to go too far back from the gate but ran up to his ability."