Racing
Philia wins Group 2 ANZ Bloodstock News The Roses: Post Race Trainer and Jockey Quotes
Trainer and jockey quotes following the Group 2 ANZ Bloodstock News The Roses won by Philia at Doomben on Saturday.
Race Result:1st: Philia (David Vandyke/Kerrin McEvoy) - $3.702nd: Jenni's Meadow (B, W & J Hayes/Ethan Brown) - $31
3rd: Movin Out (Chris Waller/Craig Newitt) - $21
Winning Time: 2:02.79 Last 600m: 35.90
Margins: ½L x 1L
.@KPMcEvoy guides Philia to victory in The Roses for @vandykeracing13! pic.twitter.com/Y24NJjvqxC
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 24, 2025
Winning Trainer: David Vandyke
"I knew she was 100% going into today. The 2000 (metres) was a question mark. Kerrin made it a staying test. He was taken on two or three times and he didn't care. He just wanted to hold the front.
"When I saw her going past the post the first time he was off the bit and letting her roll. She had to sprint a few times during the race and yet she still had the audacity to kick at the top of the straight and hold off the late charge.
"Into the Oaks, when she's got that amazing racing pattern where she can get taken on and absorb pressure, she loves it.
"That was a month between runs so now I've got that nice two weeks. Hard run today, 2200, bring on the Oaks.
Breeding. "She's a half to Duais who is a multiple group one winner. Won at 2400. Baccarat Bzby who has won at group level. She goes right back to one of the best families in the world. It is an impeccable pedigree and, All Too Hard, I love the stallion.
"She's just full of guts and wants to do it."
Winning Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy
"Dave has had a big opinion of her and I was quite taken and interested in his words prior to the Roses and afterwards.
"His text this morning was that she has improved again. It gave me good confidence going into today.
"She was more relaxed in herself today which is pleasing when you are going out in trip. Another horse came outside of Verona Rose at the 1200 and she's had to stride but she was doing it in herself which is positive.
"Just wanted to kick off the corner, which she did. She had a bit of a stargaze on the corner and she was looking at the barriers and thinking 'job done' so I had to get a bit vocal with her.
"She's heading in the right direction. She's bred to run (the Oaks distance) and I think she will."
