Trainer and jockey quotes after the Group 1 The TAB Everest at Randwick on Saturday taken out by Bella Nipotina.
Race Result:
1st: Bella Nipotina (C Maher/C Williams) - $9
2nd: Giga Kick (C Douglas/M Zahra) - $14
3rd: Growing Empire (C Maher/K McEvoy) - $9
Winning Time: 1:08.76 Last 600m: 33.85
Margins: Head x 1¼L
What a mare!
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 19, 2024
An epic finish to the #TABEverest with Bella Nipotina calling upon all her bravery to win! @CWilliamsJockey | @cmaherracing | @aus_turf_club pic.twitter.com/joFzBJjypt
Winning Trainer: Ciaron Maher
"You know, we thought she was in career best form and she got her conditions to suit. We said at the barrier draw, she s got an uncanny knack of running very well from any gate.
"Wide, inside, doesn' t matter. And yes, Craig, beautiful ride. You know, to have the balls to do that.
"I can't thank my team enough. She trains up on the beach and she's been at Bong Bong the last two weeks and just the whole team, it's unbelievable.
Her hardiness: She's a bit like me. She doesn't like to miss out on a carnival. So, no, no, she's a beautiful horse to train. And Michael Christensen and Tim Porter and his brothers and family, you know, what a thrill for them.
"She's been elite for like five years. Ot' s unbelievable."
Winning Jockey: Craig Williams
On the mare: "I couldn't do it without the performance of Bella. We drew 12, we were hoping for more rain, but the track was to her liking light to her liking and basically the plan was, Ciaron said, let's just trust her.
"We might be a bit wide, but let's not be negative, let's be positive and let's go forward."
"I'm very lucky I really know her. And going to the gates today, I said to Ciaron, she was just moving so well for her. Before I even gave her a pat and a cuddle, then she really takes off."
On the training effort: "She was right in the zone. So credit to Ciaron Maher, his whole training group around him. He's a phenomenal trainer with so many different arms that help this process go along."
"Paul and Ange Fudge, they're using their property at Bong Bong. You can see the benefits of that. And a six-year-old mare, she's never been in career best form, which is amazing. She is now."
"And today she showed everyone how good and tough she is because she had no favours."
"I'm just wrapped and grateful. My team around me, my family, my mum and dad, Uncle Tim and Aunt Julie here, places here, my children cheering at home."
On his charity work: "I told them if we win, it only pays for more things in Ukraine, not for more pets. No more kittens!
When he decided to use those tactics: "Well, we didn't draw the barrier and we were just that confident in the horse. And I spoke to Ciaron, and he said, 'I love the plan, let's go and do it, let's execute it.'
"Have faith in her. But, as I said to the owners, I ve got to talk her into it from the start because usually she can be slow out."
"With a delay, I' m thinking, oh my goodness, please don't, but luckily we' ve got great barrier attendants and she was in the zone today and she jumped out well and I just went forward.
"I came back, I'm happy to be three wide. In the zone. So I gave her a rest. Then I thought, I'll challenge her early because she felt like if anything comes to her, she's going to hold them off and she did today.
"So luckily for me they had the ideas, I had the horse to deliver."
Kosciusko and Everest on same day: "I'm very fortunate. I have been working out really hard with all my coaches and fitness people and my nutritionist, my wife, and my manager said, 'There's no use getting to one hill and that's enough."
Coach also said: "You' ve got to be that bloke pushing the rock up the hill and after you've conquered one hill, you've got another mountain to get up to. So it's a great thrill to win one of Australia' s greatest races and is now an internationally targeted race.
"I couldn't do it without Bella Nipotina's guts and determination."
Beaten Jockeys:
Luke Nolen (I Wish I Win): Provided no comment
Mark Zahra (Giga Kick): "He has run enormous. He was trying that hard it was like he hit himself at the 50m. Had a beautiful run. Good effort by the horse, beaten by a better horse on the day."
Jay Ford (Private Eye): "Ran a ripper. Jumped well, have him a positive ride. Was just struggling to travel in those mid-sections of the race. It just diluted his finish. He tried really hard."
Nash Rawiller (I Am Me): "She is as tough as nails. She has had the two hard runs in the lead ups. I think that softer ground meant she couldn't let down with the same acceleration. To go down two lengths, it's been a great effort considering it wasn't our day."
Zac Lloyd (Stefi Magnetica): "She ran really well. Probably looking for further now. I think the sit and sprint style of the race didn't suit her. She travelled nicely but when they quickened they left her flat footed. Her last 100m was the best in the race. Onwards and upwards."
Tommy Berry (Sunshine In Paris): "Ended up a pair further back than we wanted to. When Stefi Magnetica jumped so well, it forced us to be a pair further back. She had I Wish I Win laying on her the whole way."
James McDonald (Joliestar): "She has run enormous. From where she was in the race, she found that first furlong a little bit quick to muster speed and got shuffled back at a crucial stage. She rattled home really well."
Kerrin McEvoy (Growing Empire): "Brilliant run. He has put forward a great performance to hold third. A little bit of shuffling going on early so it took a while to get into a rhythm so to speak. He had a rest around the corner and gave a good kick. He has the attributes of a quality sprinter going forward.
Jamie Kah (Traffic Warden): Late Scratching
Brenton Avdulla (Storm Boy): "He ran really well. He actually jumped really keen. Just forced me to be there. If he jumped like that from an outside gate it probably would have worked out better. He raced well. They only got him at the 100m and he wasn't beaten far."
Rachel King (Lady Of Camelot): "Really proud of this filly. She did a super job. It was a horrible gate but she made it better and her run was enormous. Very proud of her."
