Post-race jockey reports from the 2024 Might And Power Stakes

This is what the jockeys had to say after the running of the Might And Power Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.

Mark Zahra and Deny Knowledge after winning the Might And Power Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday. Photo: George Sal/etty Images.

Imported mare Deny Knowledge scored a maiden Group 1 success when leading throughout to land the $1 million Might And Power Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

"Take a bow Mark Zahra!"

Deny Knowledge leads all the way in the Group 1 Might And Power! 😮@[e-mail]/5C0b092Zjz

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 12, 2024

The win was Deny Knowledge’s ninth from 36 starts and took her earnings to more than $1.5 million.

Deny Knowledge is a seven-year-old mare by Pride Of Dubai, she was ridden by Mark Zahra and is trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman.

This is what the riders thought of their mount’s performance in Might And Power Stakes.

1st - DENY KNOWLEDGE (Mark Zahra) She actually jumped well today and I was able to get there and she wasn’t overdoing it, she was just happy and I just wanted to have her 1,000, 800 (metres) just slowly pick up and pretty much want her flat out coming around the bend. And when we straightened up and I gave her one, she responded well and Mr Brightside, he’s probably sick of chasing these tearaway front runners, but I thought around Caulfield he might be a bit susceptible over 2000 (metres). The track’ s obviously a bit leaderish today, but the all-credit to her, it was a good win. Anthony and Sam and the staff have done a great job getting her right, you know, she seems to cruise along a bit nicer in front now and Yulong bought her and they’re getting repaid, so well done to everyone.

2nd - MR BRIGHTSIDE (Craig Williams) “Little bit disappointed with the result. We had a lovely run throughout, the winner did all the running. Ben Hayes said, ‘what can you say’? I said, ‘we weren’t good enough today, I was under pressure and the last 200 I was really under pressure for him’. Ben said, ‘what about the ground?’ and I said, ‘it’s the only excuse that I can come up with’. It’s a track that’s drying out throughout the day. I think they’ve got some options with some headgear going forward as well. He still was gallant in defeat but it was not the Brightside that we know.

3rd - ATISHU (James McDonald) She’s gone well, she’s made up good ground.

4th - ADELAIDE RIVER (Ben Melham) He tracked up underneath me really good at the 600 and I thought he was going to be right in the finish, but just laboured a bit to the line. He was OK again after the line.

5th - COCO SUN (Blake Shinn) She ran well. She’s ticking over nicely for a Caulfield Cup. Look out for her over 2400m.

6th - KALAPOUR (Damian Lane) We didn’t have the right trip.

7th - VOW AND DECLARE (Billy Egan) He just wasn’t his usual self, he was a bit flat but he’s pulled up sound, so that’s the main thing.

8th - JENNILALA (Declan Bates) It was a big ask today and she’ll come back. End of her prep now, she’ll probably come back a stronger horse. I was the one left chasing the hot speed and she just blew up a bit.

Originally published as Post-race jockey reports from the 2024 Might And Power Stakes