2022 Spring Champion Review: What The Jockeys Said

Hugh Bowman did well to get Sharp ‘N’ Smart’s head down when it mattered in the G1 Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick. Here’s what the jockeys said after the race.

Hugh Bowman (Sharp ‘N’ Smart – Winner)

“He’s a very courageous horse. I had a lot of confidence in him.

“I was just lucky I was on a horse that has a great will to win. I know him well, he’s come a long way in the last six months and he’s going to continue to improve as a galloper, Very exciting.

“I knew it was a sticky draw but I didn’t want to fall into the trap of getting him up racing like he was over the mile at Warwick Farm when he bounced well and I rushed him into the box seat position.

“I just had to take my medicine but what I was able to do was get him into a really good rhythm, he wasn’t spending any gas and I knew I had the two to beat positioned right in front of me.

“That is why I didn’t press forward to pocket them, I waited for them to inject pressure into each other. I did my work around the course but they did their work from the 700m to the line and the best horse came out on top.”

Blake Shinn (Elliptical – Second)

“He was super gallant in defeat. Had the right run to win. I got exposed a little early than I would have liked on this ground 2000m first time. Probably the difference between winning and losing but he’s a top class horse in the making.”

Glyn Shofield (She’s Extreme – 3rd)

“She ran enormous. I was in the back third, I was expecting to be a bit further forward. She didn’t step away as well as I’d have liked. Nonetheless she ran an enormous race.”

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Tom Sherry (Matcha Latte – 4th)

“Really good run. Found a good spot, travelled well, fought hard in the straight. Once he furnishes into a nice 4yo he’ll be an even better horse.”

Kerrin McEvoy (Williamsburg – 5th)

“He ran a good race. We ended up landing closer than I thought we would. There wasn’t any pressure. It was the sort of race run unlike other of his previous races in terms of tempo. He still ran a good race.”

Rachel King (Renaissance Woman – 6th)

“She ran a super race. She got absolutely stood on her head at the start. Did well to recover from that. Will be ready to go again soon.”

Keagan Latham (Owen County – 7th)

“Really happy with this horse’s effort. A better run than the Gloaming behind the favourites. Will be a better horse next prep.”

William Pike (Manzoice – 8th)

“He was game and tried hard. He just never travelled.”

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Jason Collett (Conqueror – 9th)

“He was a handful in the barriers. It’s not working this prep.”

Josh Parr (Promitto – 10th)

“I thought I was a live chance for a large portion of the race. The moment he started to struggle two strides later I was completely out of it. Somewhat of a head scratcher.”

Brenton Avdulla (Coppleson – 11th)

“He had a lovely run. He was a beaten horse a long way out. Probably just came to the end of his prep.”

Regan Bayliss (Bunker Hut – 12th)

“We planned to ride him midfield. I had to adapt that first 100m, there wasn’t a lot of pressure on. He might be better next preparation after a good spell.”