Trainer and jockey quotes after the Group 3 Sportsbet Caulfield Guineas Prelude at Caulfield on Saturday won by Estremo.
Race Result:
1st: Estremo (C Waller/Be Melham) - $7
2nd: Vega For Luck (M Laurie/J Mott) - $31
3rd: Planet Red (M Price, M Kent Jnr/M Zahra) - $2.50 fav
Winning Time: 1:24.52 Last 600m: NA
Margins: Short-Half-Head x 1-¼ lengths
Caulfield Guineas Prelude | Estremo
— Racing.com (@Racing) September 20, 2025
Timing is everything in racing & @BMelham nailed that on Estremo! The Extreme Choice colt gathers the leader in the concluding furlong
Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app
REPLAYS: https://t.co/ZIa4a02wC0 pic.twitter.com/avQRgM0wWr
Winning Trainer: Chris Waller (stable rep Charlie Duckworth interviewed)
On the suitability of today's race: "He came here early in the week to have a look around and Ben was really happy with that piece of work. I think that had him in good stead for today.
"The extra distance was brilliant. I think Ben, having had that sit on him earlier in the week, just allowed him the confidence to ride him where he wanted to ride him.
"He obviously had to dig deep late and he had to fight all the way to the line but it was a great win."
On bouncing back after two runs over 1200m at MV: "I think it was just a case of The Valley getting him beaten his two previous occasions.
"We sort of ummed and ahhed whether we ran that second time around The Valley, because he was probably already looking for the 1400 metres, but we opted to run as he was well-fancied in the market and there were enough indications that he'd taken benefit from his first go around there.
"It didn't pan out for us that day, but it has today."
On the advantage of winning at Caulfield ahead of the Guineas: "Obviously we've got a quartet heading towards a Golden Rose next weekend and some of them would be likely to then come down to the Caulfield Guineas.
"He'll have the advantage of winning around here, they won't.
"It's always hard to exactly measure up, because course specialists are a big thing and it does take into account a significant advantage, having that experience."
Winning Jockey: Ben Melham
On the key elements to the win: "He's a horse that's got nice ability and, just watching him, he didn't look really suited to Moonee Valley and was probably looking for the trip.
"I worked him the other morning and I thought he's just a horse that you want to keep happy and if you can keep him happy and balanced, he'll run well for us.
"He had a beautiful run, tracked up behind the leader, I came off his back and it was pretty soft in the end.
"I didn't really get to the bottom of him, did just enough to win, he's had a good experience and he was good out at the trip.
On his traits: "He can get a little bit keen. He can be a bit tardy away. He's a bit of a funny horse, so you just got to work with him a little bit and just ride him to keep him happy.
"If you can keep him happy, he's going to run really well for you."
