2022 Champions Stakes Review: What The Jockeys Said
November 6, 2022
It took a perfect ride from Jamie Kah to steer Zaaki home to victory in the Champions Stakes at Flemington on Saturday. Here’s what the jockeys said after the race.
Jamie Kah (Zaaki – Winner)
“It didn’t hurt him that he was under a bit of pressure because he thrives off it. He really put in today. He did what he likes doing best and that’s rolling along. We saw the superstar horse that’s Zaaki. On the turn I just let him do his thing and then on the line we were tiring slightly but he’s just got the biggest heart this horse and he was in for the fight. I’m just so, so happy.”
Nash Rawiller  (Mo’unga – Second)
“Super run. He’ll win the BMW (Tancred Stakes) or something big in Sydney, it just hasn’t quite come together for us, I thought it was going to come together today but it didn’t quite.”
Damien Oliver (Hezashocka – 3rd)
“Beautiful run. He ran enormous, if he’d gone straight he might have nearly won.”
James McDonald (Anamoe – 4th)
“Great run. They went slow, but it still felt like I had a lovely run to pick them up but he levelled out quickly.”
Mark Zhara (I’m Thunderstruck – 5th)
“He ran well. The race shape was against him, having to get that far back, but he’s had a long prep and done a good job.”
John Allen (Bankers Choice – 6th)
“He was awesome. Really good.”
Craig Williams (Elliptical – 7th)
The barrier end up being a really big disadvantage the way the race was run as they didn’t go too fast, but I loved the way that throughout the race he showed how good he is. But, to be giving them that much of a head start, to be having that type of sprint against that calibre of horse at 10 furlongs, we were just a bit vulnerable.”
Brenton Avdulla (Hinged – 8th)
“He’s run super. We had a lovely run, his stamina probably just told on him in the end.”
Error, group does not exist! Check your syntax! (ID: 30)
Michael Dee (Mr Maestro – 9th)
“I was in the stalls a long time and he got a bit upset, he missed it a beat when they opened and got tightened a little bit for room before the turn in. He probably would have been a place or two closer other than that.”
Tim Clark (Mustang Valley – 10th)
“He was honest. He just couldn’t sprint with them off that tempo.”
Ben Melham (Maximal – 11th)
“He ran good. I thought he was a real sniff up the side, he travelled into it but he’s just a duffer when you let his head go in that ground.”
Tell us what you thought of the race in the comments below.
November 22, 2025
RACING: Cranbourne Tips - Saturday 22nd November
Saturday Metropolitan racing in Victoria heads to Cranbourne for 10 races with the first to commence at 12:20pm local time The track is currently rated as a good 4 Victorian’s are set for a Read MoreNovember 21, 2025
RACING: Kembla Specials From The Vault 22/11
With Gong Day rolling in, we’ve loaded three fresh vault tips — a mix of confident selections and value plays that you can view below One of the plays is shown below, but all three Read MoreNovember 21, 2025
RACING: Kembla Grange Tips - Saturday 22nd November
The Gong at Kembla Grange is shaping as a blockbuster, with a deep field and plenty of betting opportunities for punters And if you're diving into the whole program, we've got tips for every race to Read More
Tell Us What You Think Below