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Group 1 glory for Godophin and Avilius at Royal Randwick! Find out what the jockeys made of their mounts after the Group 1 Colgate Optic White Stakes (1600m).

Kerrin McEvoy (Avilius): “We didn’t have a great run in transit last time. Today, in the smaller field, I said right, we will take our medicine early. They didn’t go all that quick, so I must admit I was a little bit worried, but I was able to get a bit of a trail up and he showed a good turn of foot.”

“He likes that ground, and he can still quicken in that ground. He’s done it at a mile here today but I think he is a typical 2000m/2400m horse, which is what we learned in the autumn, so to see him show that speed there today was a plus. On that ground he has a more continuous turn of foot and he did travel sweet today I must admit.”

Avilius wins the Group 1 Colgate Optic White Stakes at Royal Randwick

Nash Rawiller (Dreamforce): “He didn’t let me down one bit he ran super, he ran right up to his run the other day. Whether first up took a little bit out of him I’m not too sure. He went to the front at the furlong like the winner, but full credit to the winner he put him to the sword.”

Glen Boss (Happy Clapper): “He went great, the winner was just another level, that’s one serious race horse. My bloke to his credit, he never runs a bad race, so he’s still got a good one in him for sure.”

Tim Clark (Samadoubt): “He ran solid, no excuses. I was able to control, but probably just found it a little bit tough to maintain that level he has been at the last couple of runs.”

Mark Zahra (Mr Marathon Man): “Wasn’t disgraced, back to handicap grade and he should run well.”

Luke Currie (Angel Of Truth): “It was an excellent run, he’s right on track to have a really good preparation.”

Tommy Berry (Danzdanzdance): “She gave me a tough time today, she had a real bee in her bonnet from the time I got on, she wasn’t herself. I don’t know the horse too well, but maybe just judge her on her next run.”

Brenton Avdulla (Youngstar): “I thought she ran fine, she’s just looking for a race with good genuine speed over 2000m.”

James McDonald (Verry Elleegant): “Her efforts were good today, big improvement off her first up run. Obviously got caught a bit wide, she boxed on okay.”

Check out the replays and results for Colgate Optic White Stakes Day at Royal Randwick