Trainer and jockey quotes after Azazel takes out the Listed Roderick Insurance Brokers 3yo Geelong Classic at Geelong on Thursday.
Race Result:
1st: Azazel (Mark Walker/Michael Dee) - $6.50
2nd: Highvol (Nick Ryan/Mark Zahra) - $4.40
3rd: Savisanta (Chris Waller/Ben Melham) - $9.50
Winning Time: 2:21.04 Last 600m: N/A
Margins: Short Neck x Neck
eelong Classic | Azazel
— Racing.com (@Racing) October 23, 2025
Too tough The 3YO gelding fights hard to notch his second career win for @mickdee020 & @TeAkauRacing
Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app
REPLAYS: https://t.co/ZIa4a02wC0 pic.twitter.com/MjHx3GZvkG
Winning Trainer: Mark Walker (rep by Ben Gleeson)
"A big relief. He toughed it out. When I saw them slacken the pace and make it a sit-sprint, it was never going to suit this horse.
"Credit to Mick, he took off at the right time and the horse was gallant.
"Thrilled to get this win for OTI - our first stakes winner for them. Theyv'e given us two horses to use our craft with and going into a Derby. It is very rare that you pilot a path at the start of the spring to get to a Derby and everything goes smoothly and it has been exactly that.
"He'll love the 2500 (metres of the Victoria Derby). We bought him with that profile in mind. Beautiful Shocking family and hopefully we get a strongly run 2500 and a true staying test.
"He appreciates the give (in the ground). Hope there is a bit of rain around next Saturday and if there is give in the ground he'll be in the finish."
Winning Jockey: Michael Dee
"They just kept coming back and back. My horse, he doesn't have a great turn-of-foot but he keeps grinding away.
"We did want to ride him a bit quieter to try and see a turn-of-foot today but the way it panned out we just had to go and put ourselves into the race and he was really grinding at the top of the straight but I felt he was doing it quite comfortably.
"When he hit the front he was still a bit green and he's probably a horse that isn't going to win by a huge margin but he's got a great will to win and he's improved each time he steps out. He looked a picture in the yard and he'll definitely give a sight in the Derby.
"Ben said he's kept on improving and he's got more to some. He'll be peaking on the right day."
