Post-race jockey reports from the 2024 Empire Rose Stakes

This is what the jockeys had to say after the running of the Empire Rose Stakes at Flemington on Saturday.

James McDonald and Atishu return to scale after winning the Empire Rose Stakes at Flemington on Saturday. Photo: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images.

Atishu again proved herself a high-class miler when claiming another Group 1 victory in the $1 million Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday.

What a finish 😮‍💨

ATISHU comes from nowhere to take out the TAB Empire Rose Stakes.

🎥 @wwos | #DerbyDay | #MelbCupCarnivalpic.twitter.com/G6Pd4S6ul0

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) November 2, 2024

The victory was Atishu’s 11th from 46 starts and took her earnings to more than $5 million.

Atishu is a seven-year-old mare by Savabeel, she was ridden by James McDonald and is trained by Chris Waller.

This is what the riders thought of their mount’s performance in the Empire Rose Stakes.

1st – ATISHU (James McDonald) What a mare she is isn’t she? She performs, she just turns up and does it. Incredibly proud of her, delighted with the team that have produced her, just in immaculate order, and she’s done the job.

2nd – AMELIA’S JEWEL (Jamie Kah) Absolutely fantastic. Just first time with blinkers. She probably didn’t see the winner coming to her late but can’t be unhappy with that.

3rd – SOCKS NATION (John Allen) She’s run super. She’s come back in great shape this prep so I think there’ll be another big race in store for her, hopefully.

4th – ALSEPHINA (Blake Shinn) Great run. Very admirable fourth. Got beat by some faster mares. Toughed it out well.

5th – ZARDOZI (Daniel Stackhouse) Super run from her today, nice little gallop leading into Tuesday.

6th – LEKVARTE (Joshua Parr) She ran an honest race. She got to the outside and chased hard.

7th – KIMOCHI (Hugh Bowman) A little bit keen in the early stages from barrier one. Then got into a good rhythm and that energy took its toll late.

8th – GRINZINGER BELLE (Damian Lane) Very honest. Nothing’s been able to punch into that wind all day, so unfortunately we had to still ride her that way and I thought she stuck on well for as long as she did.

9th – PLENTY OF AMMO (Jordan Childs) The race worked out well but she was just a bit flat today.

10th – LADY IN PINK (Ben Allen) A little bit keen early. She presented into it but I thought she was just a bit plain late.

11th – SEE YOU IN HEAVEN (Jake Toeroek) She was okay. She just found them a little bit sharp today.

12th – ORCHESTRAL (Mark Zahra) Barrier manners very costly.

13th – REVOLUTIONARY MISS (Michael Dee) Terrible today. See how she pulls up.

Originally published as Post-race jockey reports from the 2024 Empire Rose Stakes