Trainer and jockey quotes after Fangirl claims the Group 1 TAB Queen Of The Turf Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.
Race Result:
1st: Fangirl (C Waller/J McDonald) - $1.60F
2nd: Stefi Magnetica (B Baker/J Collett) - $6.50
3rd: Atishu (C Waller/N Rawiller) - $9.50
Winning Time: 1:34.58 Last 600m: 34.36
Margins: ¾L x Nose
We are huge fans!
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 12, 2025
Fangirl races away with the G1 TAB Queen Of The Turf Stakes - @cwallerracing and @mcacajamez dominating again!@aus_turf_club | @WorldPool pic.twitter.com/uCxzVQ2eSE
Winning Trainer: Chris Waller
On the mare: "Yeah, an amazing team of owners, that's a huge thing in itself," Waller said.
"There's so many great stories with any winner on the racetrack, but the Group 1s on big days like today, it really is special. So I don't know where to start."
"She won her first race in Goulburn during COVID, if I remember. Yeah, she's come a long way. Each preparation, she just stands up and she's counted."
On the win: "We took a step back today from the Queen Elizabeth, but she'll get her time in another 2,000m race, I promise you that."
"Obviously, today means so much. We've got to have horses winning, and the big races especially. We would have liked to have had a crack at the Queen Elizabeth, but Via Sistina was flying and I didn't want to break her heart."
On last start: "Yeah, it was a good run, the George Ryder, we ran home with our tails between our legs, thinking we'd won the race and probably the one that got away. It was no one's fault, just barrier draws and luck in running. But she was brave and full credit to the horses that beat us. But, yeah, it's icing on the cake when you know they can bounce off the canvas and come back."
On stablemate Atishu: "Yeah, she was brave too, it's her last run today too, and she's been an amazing horse. Last three years she's run in this race, she won it two years ago, got beaten a nose last year, and she's beaten by Fangirl and the Doncaster winner this year."
"I'm proud to be in Sydney, racing's going so well. It's well-run, good administrators, and there's a lot to look forward to in the next 200 years if we keep our racetracks."
Winning Jockey: James McDonald
On the mare: "She's a great mare, love her to bits. Just ridden a bit quieter today than what we did last time. Tried to win last start and she ran well, but back to mares' grade, it was looking pretty good," McDonald said.
On her sharp turn of foot: "She's quick, she's got a lethal 400m, but not 405m.
On getting back in the run: "I thought I'd be there, because last time I drove her up, today I wasn't going to do that and so I was always going to be curled up somewhere, and I was just going to have to pray that it would open up.
"Sometimes when you just let it happen before trying to make it happen, it can be in your favour. I actually went out there with the mindset, she was a 10 to 1 chance, and rode her like that."
Beaten Jockeys:
Jason Collett (Stefi Magnetica): "A bit unlucky. Blocked for a run at the top of the straight. By the time we got out we just didn't have the momentum."
Nash Rawiller (Atishu): "She was very honest. Today is her last run which is a shame. She showed all her fighting qualities once again. To be honest the winner was able to muscle us out of the way at the 300m. Had I been able to make it a bit closer toward the finish I would have been looking at the film for a protest. As good as ever."
Josh Parr (Amelia's Jewel): "Travelled well enough to show a better turn of foot than she did today."
Jay Ford (Lekvarte): "She is going great racing in a great vein of form. Won well the other day and taken on the top-liners here. Acquitted herself well."
Declan Bates (Grinzinger Belle): "She has run a good race. Tried to stretch them from the 600m. Didn't do enough to put them away. A few quickened by us in the straight. Stuck to her task well."
Blake Shinn (Coeur Volante): "She was honest. Would be better back in trip. Good run."
Tyler Schiller (Our Gold Hope): "I thought it was a good run. Probably better at 1800/2000m where she doesn't run into these sharp horses. Showed last start that she is up to the grade. Didn't get the ideal run in transit."
Jamie Melham (Sounds Of Heaven): "The step up in grade but also the track was too firm for her today."
Craig Williams (Quickster): "I thought she had the right draw, the gear with blinkers on. Gave me a beautiful run throughout. Once I placed her pressure against these really top line mares she was found wanting on face value."
Tommy Berry (Lazzura): "So proud of her. She has been beaten by some very good mares and Stefi a Doncaster winner. Beaten the rest comfortably. Hopefully they retire soon. She can be there on her own would be nice."
Ethan Brown (Another Prophet): "She got a bit keen. Probably the run she had she was entitled to drop out. I'm not disappointed."
