Racing
Marhoona wins Group 1 Kia Ora Galaxy: Post Race Trainer and Jockey Quotes
Trainer and jockey quotes following the Group 1 Kia Ora Galaxy won by Marhoona at Rosehill on Saturday.
Race Result:1st: Marhoona (M Freedman/K McEvoy) - $122nd: Jedibeel (B Widdup/T Berry) - $21
3rd: Mazu (J Pride/R King) - $18
Winning Time: 1:04.39 Last 600m: 34.50
Margins: Head x Short Head
Winning Trainer: Michael FreedmanLast year's Slipper winner = this year's Galaxy winner!
What a finish to the final G1 of the day with Marhoona getting there in a photo!@KPMcEvoy @MFreedmanRacing @EmiratesPark pic.twitter.com/KE7oVmHaiw
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 21, 2026
A year to the day on from winning the Golden Slipper: "I don't think I've had a horse that's just got as much tenacity as she does. She sort of looked out on her feet at the 100 metres there and she just refused to lay down, a bit like the Slipper last year. What a filly."
Run in transit: "Yeah, it wasn't ideal. I mean, we discussed before the race maybe ending up in the 1x1. But, you know, Kerrin showed great initiative and just went and parked outside the leader. I knew when she was there she'd be certainly right in the finish, but I was a little bit concerned, maybe at the furlong where I thought maybe she's going to get sort of steamrolled, but she's just got such an incredible will to win."
Winning Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy
Marhoona's tenacity: "I must admit I was a tiny bit worried at the top of the lane - first time on this sort of ground. But full credit to her, the more I asked, the more she dug. Michael said to me, 'Look, she's right in it with the weights.' We were confident that breed handled the ground, obviously, and we were confident that she would. The further we went in the straight, the more confident I got, so it was a nice feeling."
Fighting back: "I was still there, and I knew I had a bit to offer, but it wasn't as instant as I thought. But it's a nice surprise when they get off the canvas. Keep you interested, and obviously, you know, we had our bib in front of the last 50, so... Really pleasing."
"Thankful to Michael and his team and obviously Emirates for giving me the ride and she's a star filly, star sprinting mare. She's onwards and upwards and she's won a couple of group ones now, so well played by Michael."
Team's confidence: "Yeah, they were adamant she was in good form, so it gave me confidence. Great to get a big win on a big day for a big group of owners and trainers."
Beaten Jockeys:
Tyler Schiller (Briasa): "I thought he was terrific. Got a lovely spot from the wide gate, three deep with cover. Tracked into it nicely. Ran came to an end quite sharply with the heavy weight and the wet ground. A couple with the pull in the weights got him. Did a great job."
Rachel King (Mazu): "He is going super this horse. He has his quirks which we all know about. Likes to do things his own way. Couldn't be going any better."
James McDonald (Generosity): "Good run, no luck."
Tim Clark (Hedged): "Ran very boldly. Presented and wasn't beaten far at all."
Tommy Berry (Jedibeel): "He is in super order. Gave away a bit of start from the gate. Just narrowly missed. Tough effort."
Jay Ford (In Flight): "She ran very creditably. Just wish that rain had come because she grows a leg on a wet track."
Ben Thompson (Ostraka): "Great in defeat. Would have finished a bit closer."
Luke Cartwright (Bridal Waltz): "Really good run. I thought we were just in behind the speed. I thought she was beaten off by some good horses but ran well."
Andrew Adkins (The Black Cloud): "She went super. Had all the favours but proud of her."
Craig Williams (Enriched): "He needs everything to go right to win at this level. Being in the gates as long as they were, stepped slow and found himself back in the field and under those circumstances still ran well."
Alysha Collett (Infancy): "Ran absolutely super today. Wasn't beaten far. Gallant effort."
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