Racing
Birdman wins Group 2 TAB Blamey Stakes: Post Race Trainer and Jockey Quotes
Trainer and jockey quotes following the Group 2 TAB Blamey Stakes won by Birdman at Flemington on Saturday.
Race Result:1st: Birdman (Chris Waller/Ben Melham) - $TBA2nd: Enxuto (Robbie Griffiths/Patrick Moloney) - $TBA
3rd: Mark Twain (Phillip Stokes/Lachlan Neindorf) - $TBA
Winning Time: 1:35.05 Last 600m: N/A
Margins: 1¾L x ½ Head
Blamey Stakes | Birdman
Birdman, well backed & SOARS down the middle of the track to win the Blamey Stakes
Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app
REPLAYS: https://t.co/ZIa4a02wC0 pic.twitter.com/k0K9sCk0vf
— Racing.com (@Racing) February 28, 2026
Winning Trainer: Chris Waller (rep by Darren Beadman)
Clear instructions to have ample room: "Definitely. Last start it didn't work out from the inside draw, but today he held his line out of the gates.
"He wasn't the best to step away, but he kept that three wide line and dictated to a few runners around him and let them know he wasn't going to go over to the fence. He was seven lengths off the lead and it was a pretty easy watch."
Has acceleration: "He arrived in Australia about a year-and-a-half or two years ago with good credentials and a couple of wins, including the Queen's Vase. The owners were hoping to aim for the Melbourne Cup. He's been very consistent. It was a great run in the Caulfield Cup last year, so I guess, without speaking to Chris, the Australian Cup will probably be the ideal type of race for him."
Winning Jockey: Ben Melhan
"He didn't have much luck the other day and probably should have nearly won, to be honest.
"I had a lot of confidence in the horse. I trialled him when he won first-up and these imports can take a little while to settle in.
"I feel that he will go to a new level this preparation. He did a good job today. He had a beautiful run and he won with a bit of authority.
"I love the feeling when he let down today.
"He's a master, Chris Waller. This horse has really come into his own this preparation and he's a gentleman to deal with and he's got a motor to boot. That will hold him in good stead moving forward."
