Buffering’s Al Quoz Sprint Win – What the beaten jockeys had to say
Buffering’s Group 1 win at last night’s Dubai World Cup meeting in the Al Quoz Sprint certainly set tongues wagging back in Australia in the early hours of the morning, but what did the jockeys have to say about the race?
Damian Browne (jockey, Buffering (AUS), 1st) – “He was in terrific form before the race. He broke really well, to be honest beforehand I was more worried about the first 200m, thinking some of the others might have been a bit too quick for him. Once he was able to travel I was pretty confident we were going to win.”
Paul Hanagan, (jockey, Ertijaal (IRE), 2nd) – “He got very upset in the gates, he can have his day in the gates. The more upset he gets the more it can affect him. Having said that he had every chance and we can’t take anything away from the winner.”
Joao Moreira (jockey, Peniaphobia (IRE), 3rd) – “He tries very hard, it was just unlucky to find two better horses on the day. The pace was very hot but I was where I wanted to be. Buffering came sooner than I thought he would and seemed to be going further away. But I’m very happy he only beat me a length.”
William Buick (jockey, Jungle Cat (IRE), 4th) – “He ran a very good race. I’m really pleased.”
Dane O’Neill (jockey, Muthmir (IRE), 5th) – “We were a little slowly into stride but he’s used to that more from European racing than here. But he finished well. He probably finished as good as anything. The trip was fine, but he lengthened instead of quickening and that was the difference. He ran a good race but at this level you have to quicken from the front end. You have to land with them and you have to be running.”
Silvestre De Sousa (jockey, Fityaan (GB), 6th) – “I thought my horse would be better at six furlongs. We had a nice trip. It was a tough race. He’s probably a Group 2, not a Group 1, horse.”
Irad Ortiz Jr (jockey, Lady Shipman (USA), 7th) – “She looked to the side when they sprung the gate and broke a little slow. She put me in a good position on her own. She just didn’t go on. That is not her race. She would have done well with a better break.”
Ryan Moore (jockey, Not Listenin’Tome (AUS), 8th) – “He was always chasing as the race was developing on the other side of the track.“
Martin Harley (jockey, Goldream (GB), 9th) – “I was very pleased with the way he jumped and travelled from the start. He hit a flat spot at halfway but he was coming back at the line. He ran a better race today than he did here before and you’ll see a different horse when he goes back to England.”
Chris Hayes, (jockey, Sole Power (GB), 10th) – “Everything went according to plan. They probably didn’t go the fractions I was expecting and I travelled too well. He’ll be better when they go faster.”
Pat Dobbs (jockey, Sir Maximilian (IRE), 11th) – “They took him off his feet and he was never comfortable.”
Yutake Take (jockey, Bel Canto (JPN), 12th) – “She was in good form and had a good speed but couldn’t catch up with the world-class sprinters.”
Marco Botti (Trainer, Naadirr (IRE), 13th) – “They were going a bit too quick for him. I don’t think he really enjoyed the five furlongs.”