Cosmic Crusader and William Pike ran down brave leader Light Infantry Man to win the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) on a Heavy Flemington track, with Aeliana third and favourite Sir Delius fourth. Here’s what the jockeys said.
It is always important to hear what the jockeys say after the race, as you can forgive a horse’s bad run or even find a winner next start, so head to the post-race comments below.
ASTERIX (Ben Melham) – 13th
Struggled in the ground and then didn’t respond to my riding.
BUCKAROO (Jye McNeil) – 12th
Buckaroo was disappointing in a really high tempo race today. Hopefully he pulls up ok.
ZAHRANN (Ethan Brown) – 11th
Race shape against today.
SAINT GEORGE (Michael Dee) – 10th
Just had to get too far back from the gate and then just struggled from then on.
KINGS VALLEY (Lachlan Neindorf) – 9th
Good for further. He’s done probably the best he can in a race like that.
MIDDLE EARTH (Mark Zahra) – 8th
He chipped away alright. They sprinted past him and he was coming back on the line.
SHE’S A HUSTLER (Jordan Childs) – 7th
She just struggled in that wet ground. On top of the ground she has a bit more confidence but on heavy ground, it dents her confidence a little bit and she’s not able to finish off her races. I think back on a dry track next start she’ll go a lot better.
OHOPE WINS (Blake Shinn) – 6th
Ticking over nicely for the Cups. He’s going well.
HALF YOURS (Jamie Melham) – 5th
He ran well. I just think he’s definitely looking for the Caulfield Cup distance.
SIR DELIUS (Craig Williams) – 4th
When you’re in the position that you are and riding a horse like him, we always just expect him to turn up and dominate races. I think there’s got to be a lot of weight and emphasis put on the face that it is a heavy track today. I don’t think he got through the track. I don’t think he was at home plus he is also chasing a really hot speed. So, the winner was very good today but very hard fit. I just felt he might benefit from that run being a gruelling run rather than being in his prime. Most importantly he comes through the race well. I felt that everything was fine out there. Hopefully get on a firmer surface form him and he has the run under his belt.
AELIANA (Damian Lane) – 3rd
Super. The race shape just wasn’t ideal for her for where she’s at in her preparation. After a tough run today, she’s going to be peaking next start.
LIGHT INFANTRY MAN (Harry Coffey) – 2nd
Gee he went good, didn’t he? He was very brave and we just threw the reins at him and let him gallop. He thrived in that sort of scenario. I was waiting for them to come but he was really brave, fought on, and the main thing is he’s pulled up well so he is in the zone.
COSMIC CRUSADER (William Pike) – 1st
First of all, thank you to Mr Peters and his family. They were backing me from the get-go, even when I put in a bit of an iffy one a couple of starts ago.
It is really nice to get the job done. He was putting in those good runs without getting the job done, so I really wanted to get it done for him.
What might have brought us unstuck last start was the firmer deck, so it was good to have the cut out of it today. I don’t think it’s quite as heavy as I initially thought, and he loved it.
To the Leek family, they’ve prepared him really well. He’s back being edgy today. I like this version of him. I like him when he’s up and about, throwing his head. I like this version of him.
View Our Cosmic Crusader Turnbull Result Story Here
View Our Flemington Tips For Saturday Here
View Sir Delius’ Cox Plate Redemption Ambition Here
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