Features dazzle at Ipswich on cup day

Trainer and jockey quotes after Smart Meteor takes out the TAB Ipswich Cup at Ipswich on Saturday.

Race Result:

1st: Smart Meteor (B Ryan/C Munce) - $20

2nd: Our Intrigue (L Cassidy/C Waller) - $3.50F

3rd: Street Dancer (K Wilson-Taylor/D Vandyke) - $7

Winning Time: 2:14.18   Last 600m: 37.13

Margins: Neck x 1L

Winning Trainer: Chris Munce

"Great thrill. Really big thrill. So much goes into a horse like this. I really targeted this race.

"I said to the owners 'be patient', I just want to make sure I get him in there with a light weight and I'm so pleased that it was wet this morning.

"Everything sort of went to plan. I gave Brock very strict instructions. I didn't want him getting caught wide on the corner here - it is a tight little track. He rode him fantastic and the horse delivered.

"I think the key to him is that he's not a big horse (and) he's not good at carrying weight so that is why I wanted to get him in with the light weight here today.

"If I had a stable full of horses like this guy I'd be very happy because he puts in every time he goes to the race.

"He (Our Intrigue) had good form. I'm good mates with Lachie (from the Waller stable) and he said his horse will be hard to beat. I said to him that if my horse gets any luck in running he'll be a chance as well so it has worked out well."

Winning Jockey: Brock Ryan

"Had a little bit of a sticky gate to contend with but he (Munce) prepped me up on how to ride this racetrack and ti worked out exactly like he said.

"My first time here and first ride here to it was good to get some pointers and lucky it worked out.

"We started from a sticky gate so I didn't want to just drag him out the back straight away. Jockeyed early and found the back of Berdibek which was nice. Then it popped over the fence and I had a a lovely cart into the race. The second horse just took me everywhere.

"Got him out into the middle of that track and let down.

"Had a nice feel for him. He's a lovely ride, he's a dream to ride. You put him anywhere and he comes back underneath you. He's a pretty easy ride.

"A couple of my horses have drawn badly today but I'm sort of happy about that now. The track has got a bit of juice in it and it is starting to chop out on the corner so I'd say it is closer to a Soft 6."

Trainer and jockey quotes after the Listed Eye Liner Stakes at Ipswich on Saturday taken out by Holyfield.

Race Result:

1st: Holyfield (B Loy/A Neasham) - $6.50

2nd: Desert Lord (R Maloney/D Vandyke) - $11

3rd: Sir Warwick (A Allen/J Capewell) - $26

Winning Time: 1:20.49   Last 600m: 35.67

Margins: 1½L x Short Neck

Winning Trainer: Annabel Neasham (rep by Raphael Machelli)

"We're so happy. Brodie and the horse to have a win like that.

"At the beginning we had a bad draw bit at the end the track is now better in the middle and Brodie took the option to lead and after that he ran a good race.

"He was relaxed in front and he brought it home. His form is very strong (and) he's a consistent horse. I think we can try and find another good race for him."

Winning Jockey: Brodie Loy

"This horse was my first provincial winner when I moved up to Sydney and I stuck with him on his first win on a Saturday and now his first in Queensland. It is lovely.

"He's been knocking on the door. Third-up today, fit. He obviously had to work a little bit hard but from the half-mile to around the 450 (metre mark) I felt that we got a really decent breather and he was able to sustain that and was tough to the line.

"All credit to Annabell and the team. It is just great.

"On the way to the gates I thought I was going to go around a lap-and-a-half, he half took off on me on the way to the gates and I just thought 'he's on today' and he jumped lovely and relaxed lovely in my hands.

"I wasn't too worried about being a little bit deep the way the track is playing - bit chopped up on the inside. He cruised in such a lovely rhythm from the half-mile and was strong to the line.

"I love Queensland. I might need to go and buy a Maroons jersey, I reckon."

Trainer and jockey quotes following the Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic won by Centrefire at Ipswich on Saturday.

Race Result:

1st: Centrefire (S Collett/C Munce) - $TBA

2nd: Maybe The Best (K Wildon-Taylor/D Vandyke) - $TBA

3rd: Majestic Shot (J Orman/G Allard) - $TBA

Winning Time: 1:11.12   Last 600m: 34.60

Margins: ½ Head x 1¼L

Winning Trainer: Chris Munce

"Terrific day. I really thought with this mare with the one gate before the track was the way it was had a really genuine winning chance.

"I know she won first-up on a Heavy 10 but I was still a bit concerned with the way the pattern of racing was but she is very fit, Sam knows her well and rated her beautifully.

"She timed her run beautifully.

"For the horses that we've got, they've raced probably as well as I could possibly asked. They've all be happy, healthy, fit horses and it'd be nice to get a few more like them.

"Palaisipan (Need to check) goes to the Tatts Tiara next week. Rhapsody Rose also goes around next Saturday and Smart Meteor will go to the Caloundra Cup."

Winning Jockey: Samantha Collett

"She had a couple of runs in quick succession after her really nice win. Her runs were solid, really solid.

"Today, she'd had a bit of a freshen up. Her work early in the week was massive. I was really happy with her.

"When she drew the one marble I was even happier. Chris was said 'you know what you're doing, use her tactical speed'.

"I had a lapful of horse most of the way and I was keen to try and put them a little bit to the sword early in the straight because I knew I'd had a comfortable enough lead.

"Chris' stable is flying and I'm glad to be a part of it.

"Easy sectionals: "It is just that extra petrol you don't have to burn and with a natural forward running horse like her it just makes life that much easier.

"I was mindful of how she was traveling around the corner in probably the worst part of the track where it has had a lot of use. I was lucky enough that she traveled through the worst of it. She got through it pretty well."