For Teo Nugent, Phillip Stokes and the team from OTI Racing it was all smiles after Wigmore claimed the SA Derby, narrowly defeating VRC Oaks winner Strictly Business. The pair were on opposite sides of the track in wet and gloomy conditions at Morphettville.
In victory, Nugent paid tribute to his own form, as well as trainer Phillip Stokes.
“It’s been a good few years. It’s very fitting to get one for Phillip Stokes,” said Nugent.
“I said to Phil when I was 12 years old that I would stay on and be his apprentice. I went over to Ireland to learn how to ride horses and for whatever reason, it didn’t work out and I went to Ciaron Maher instead.
“It’s good to team up with Phil and get a Group 1 winner behind us. He was always super throughout my apprenticeship.”
To the victor go the spoils, but what about the beaten brigade?
WHAT THE BEATEN JOCKEYS SAID:
John Allen (Strictly Business): “She’s done a good job. We were put through the fence in the first couple of furlongs. After we gathered ourselves, worked through the field and when she picked up around the corner, I thought we were home. I thought she might have laboured a little in the ground. She’s certainly moves better on a good track, but it was a very solid effort.”
Brad Rawiller (Autumn Mystery): “He was good. I couldn’t complain about the run that we had. We did get some interference going out of the straight. I had to make the position my own and gee he fought hard. I can’t wait for him next season. After a frustrating prep, a good run like this and a good time in the paddock, he can come back for the spring.”
Jamie Mott (Single Choice): “A great run. We travelled beautifully throughout. Sprinted great at the top of the straight, but I just feel maybe the 2500 (metres), heavy track, it saw him out. He’s a nice horse and he feels like maybe a mile, 2000 (metres) will suit him.”
Daniel Moor (Impulsive Reaction): “We travelled into the race beautifully and if he had let go when he loaded up, it would have been Ok but he didn’t let go in the ground.”
Mark Zahra (Kaye Jay): “Travelled well on speed throughout. He’s still a bit immature for this trip, but he’ll be alright next prep.”
Jye McNeil (Savisanta): “He ran fantastic. A better draw he would have been more forward and better ground would have allowed him to finish a bit closer. He was fantastic.”
Rory Hutchings (Geneva): “In hindsight I probably should have just gone on because when I handed up and box-seated he just over-raced the whole way and he probably struggled to get through these testing conditions.”
Ben Melham (Amazake): “Ran well. Copped an inconvenience at the 500 (metres) and it’s hard to pick up and get going again in this ground. He will be better on top of the deck.”
Daniel Stackhouse (Engine Of War): “I thought he was disappointing. I thought he would handle the conditions, but it felt like he didn’t.”
Jason Holder (Flying Brant): “He had to do it from both ends, unfortunately. At the 200-metre mark, he’d had enough.”
Jamie Melham (Arabian Prince): “He covered a bit of ground early, but he didn’t get through that heavy ground.”
Craig Williams (Cannae): “The track has really deteriorated. He got through the ground and at his fifth ever race start, it was probably a bit too much, but he acquitted himself well under the circumstances. He’s going to be a really nice horse, but he’s got to put things together a bit better.”
Billy Egan (After Summer): “She had a tough run from the draw but the main thing was she didn’t get through the going at all.”
Luke Currie (Silvasista): “She is not as effective on rain-affected going as she was on the firm track.”
Will Price (Kazaru): “It was a horribly run race from where we were. We were back in the field, travelled nicely and went to make a move at the 1000 (metres) as well as everyone else and that track caught us out.”
