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Gallic Chieftain had to switch off the heels of the second placed Shraaoh to take out the $300,000 G2 Schweppes Chairman's Quality (2600m).

What the beaten jockeys said after the race is important for those heading towards the Sydney Cup next week.

Damian Lane (Gallic Chieftain): “Credit to Archie and his team. They’ve got the horse so happy. He can be a sour bugger at times but he was in the zone in the yard and he raced that way.”

“He’ll run well (in the Sydney Cup). Whatever the conditions he faces, he should run the trip.”

All honours to Melbourne raider Gallic Chieftain

Mark Zahra (Muntahaa): “Didn’t handle it.”

James McDonald (The Taj Mahal): “Needs firm ground.”

Patrick Moloney (Vengeur Masque): “I thought he ran a really good race, had to use him up a little bit to find the lead, once he got there he relaxed well and gave a good kick at the top of the straight, he was just vulnerable late.”

Luke Nolen (Self Sense): “Super run.”

Blake Shinn (Sir Charles Road): “He ran a credible fourth, I think the ground was a little bit against him this year as opposed to last year, but he’s ticking over nicely for the Sydney Cup.”

Brett Prebble (Ventura Storm): “Track is way too wet.”

Christian Reith (Auvray): “Ran well, just needs a dry track.”

Opie Bosson (Vin De Dance): “He was very disappointing, gone turning for home.”

Luke Currie (Zacada): “Struggled.”

Craig Williams (Etymology): “Unfortunately you didn’t see him at his best today, because he didn’t like the ground.”

Tommy Berry (One Foot In Heaven): “The quick tempo had him off the bit most of the way and I just don’t think he appreciated that. He’s a confidence horse who needs to travel.”

Kerrin McEvoy (Shraaoh): “Good run, honest effort. He enjoys better ground than that, so if the track dries out and he gets into the Sydney Cup, he’s there with a good chance.”

Dwayne Dunn (Semari): “Super effort, out of the handicap, out of the grade, she stayed really well and handled the track nicely. She’s on track for bigger and better things.”

Jason Collett (Goathland): “Travelled in behind them really well, but wasn’t able to pick them up in the straight.”

Sam Clipperton (Rodrico): “Not a bad run, he got held up at a crucial stage, but he liked the trip and he liked the ground.”

Corey Brown (High Bridge): “Very disinterested, not wanting to be a real racehorse at the moment.”

Brenton Avdulla (Supernova): “He ran well, just got dragged out of it before the corner. 1900m up to 2600m in that grade, he did well.”

Check out the results and replays for Day One of The Championships.