Punters willing to dismiss Torio's Quest from this weekend's Stradbroke Handicap need only wind the clock back 12 months for a devastating reminder of his ability.
Photo by Racing and Sports
The four-year-old will be made to work in Queensland's richest race on Saturday after landing barrier 19 but given he's likely to ease back to the rear, that shouldn't be too much of an issue.
Perhaps that's why trainer Brett Partelle was so upbeat after this morning's draw.
Almost 12 months ago, a younger Torio's Quest settled well back in the Queensland Guineas (1600m) before surging clear in the straight to win by four lengths.
That was his only ever start at Eagle Farm, and almost exactly a year later he'll step out again on Saturday looking to dish out a similar performance.
“If we get a fair track on Saturday they're going to now he's here,” Partelle told Sky Racing after the barrier draw.
“It [the barrier] won't concern us too much, everyone knows he does get back off a hot tempo.
“Quite obviously, I say be six lengths off them on straightening getting on the back of something. I don't think it's going to be that much of a detrimental effect to us.”
“I'm just happy to be into the race. Coming into the race this is the first time in a long time that he's injury free after jumping that fence at Rosehill that day.
“It just makes my job a lot easier to be able to get a good crack at him. We're really, really excited about Saturday.”
Torio's Quest preparation for the Stradbroke has been more tempered than that of his rivals.
He ran second over 1300m at Scone last month, before Partelle opted not to run him on a wet Eagle Farm track last weekend.
His only other run since the spring, prior to Scone, was when he failed to beat a single runner home in the Canterbury Stakes (1300m).
The sting was out of the ground that day and Partelle's charge simply doesn't like it too soft.
Brisbane's favourable weather forecast for the rest of the week suggests conditions will be near-perfect for Torio's Quest on Saturday.
“I went for a walk on the track before I was really surprised with how good a condition it was in, obviously the workers and curators are doing a fantastic job,” Partelle said.
“I'd be very surprised if it didn't turn out to be a nice track on Saturday by what I just saw there, if we didn't get any more rain.
“He's done very very well since Scone, and it was only a benefit that he missed Saturday, you wouldn't want him going round on that.
“He doesn't handle it so he would've over-extended himself. He hasn't missed any work since Saturday and he had a swim on Sunday, he hasn't had a day off.
“I took him back from the track this morning after he galloped and I can tell you he's full of beans.”
Torio's Quest is rated a $10 winning chance on TAB Sportsbet fixed odds.
Race favourite Sea Siren, chasing a treble of Group 1 wins in Queensland, is at $4.20 after drawing barrier six.
Tiger Tees ($7) meanwhile has usurped Queenslander Buffering ($7.50) on the second line of betting. Tiger Tees drew gate 11 while Buffering will jump from barrier 18.
