Trainer and jockey quotes following the No Fuss Event Hire 3yo BM64 Handicap won by Blackberry Bomb at Bendigo on Wednesday.
Race Result:
1st: Blackberry Bomb (Simon Zahra/Tom Stockdale) - $7.50
2nd: Treat Him Right (Matthew Cumani/Eoin Walsh) - $6.50
3rd: Harry's Yacht (Leon & Troy Corstens & Will Larkin/Harry Coffey) - $3.80F
Winning Time: 1:16.25 Last 600m: N/A
Margins: Short Head x ¾L
Blackberry Bomb refused to lay down in the final furlong
— Racing.com (@Racing) October 30, 2024
A gritty win by the 3YO filly from the Simon Zahra stables.@szahraracing pic.twitter.com/WEL98oYeN3
Winning Trainer: Simon Zahra
Last outings: "Obviously some circumstances at Flemington. That the rain arrived at the wrong time and at Caulfield, they didn't make a lot of ground through the day, so it was probably a better run than what a lot of people thought.
"But back in grade today, I think she's got a bit of a future and it's good to get the win for the owners.
"She's shown us a lot at home and she's not big, but she eats like me and it's hard to keep her nice and fit.
"It's good to get the reward and I'm thinking about backing her up on Melbourne Cup day. There's a stakes race - 1400 metre race there and if she pulls up well, we'll have her throw up the stumps.
Different tack: "We normally space her runs. Not by design and I think a shorter back up she'll appreciate that. "We'll let her tell us, she has been in work a while, but when they're three, it's easy to try and get a bit of black type when you can."
Could she get further: " I think so. I think, you know, she's sort of learned her trade. We were riding her back just to finish off because she was overdoing it, but today she relaxed beautifully and Tommy gave her the peachy ride and got the job done."
On Stockdale: "He rode over 100 winners last season and it's obviously been a slower start this year, but with the carnival and everything, he'll get his opportunities and I think he's probably one to watch out for the future."
Winning Jockey: Tom Stockdale
"She's been competing in good races. Hasn' t been disgracing herself. Still feels like she's got a bit of maturity to come.
"She put them away quite comfortably, but at the same time, she was having a little bit of a think about it. So I'm sure (with) maturity on her side, she's going to be alright for it.
"It was good speed on. I was able to land in the one-one in a perfect position and push the button when it suited us.
"It worked out lovely for us from the gate and I think she'll continue to progress with a bit of age."
