Brett Partelle could bypass Saturday’s QTC Cup with Torio’s Quest and go straight into the Stradbroke if predicted rain arrives in Brisbane.
Partelle said Torio’s Quest wouldn’t run in Saturday’s 1300m Group Two feature at Eagle Farm if the track was slow or worse and would instead head straight into the $1 million Stradbroke (1400m) the following week.
Eagle Farm was rated a dead (5) on Thursday after 10mm of overnight rain, and more showers are predicted.
“Everything is in order with him (for the QTC Cup), only weather will stop us,” Partelle said.
“If it gets to slow he won’t run because he’s no good in it. The weather is looking fine for the following week so if he doesn’t run he’ll have a gallop on Saturday morning and then go into the Stradbroke.
“They do forecast a bit of rain so we’ll make that decision on Saturday morning.
“If it doesn’t rain then it’s all systems go for Saturday and he’ll be very competitive.”
Torio’s Quest would be safely in the Stradbroke final field and Partelle has booked Glen Boss for the Stradbroke ride.
Hugh Bowman, who is booked to partner Buffering in the Stradbroke, continues his association with Torio’s Quest in the QTC Cup.
Torio’s Quest has an unbeaten record in Queensland having won the Group Two Queensland Guineas (1600m) by four lengths at last year’s winter carnival.
His other Queensland success was in the $1 million Magic Millions Guineas (1400m) at the Gold Coast in January 2011.
The four-year-old returned from a let-up with a pleasing second in a 1300m Open Handicap at Scone behind QTC Cup rival Riva De Lago.
He arrived in Queensland on Thursday morning and Partelle said the gelding was as close to his best as he has had him for a long time.
TAB Sportsbet has Torio’s Quest as $4.50 favourite for the QTC Cup ahead of Riva De Lago at $5.50.
