Stephen Theodore has no qualms about throwing maiden Quick Retort into the deep end at Flemington on Saturday as he believes she is an Oaks filly.
The Cranbourne trainer said he had the three-year-old daughter of Elvstroem nominated for Saturday’s Group Three Auraria Stakes (1800m) at Morphettville but opted for the shorter Melbourne Citymission Hcp (1400m).
“It might be a matter of being just too soon for her,” Theodore said.
“I did nominate her for the Auraria but it’s probably too big of a step up.
“So we’ll take the softer option, although the Flemington race is not that soft on form.
“But just getting her to the big track is probably the biggest winning move we can do with her.
“The stable’s got a huge opinion of her, we’ve made no secret of that.”
Theodore said he would have liked to run Quick Retort in the Group One Australasian Oaks (2000m) on April 28 and the Group Three SA Fillies Classic (2500m) on May 12, both at Morphettville, but had more than likely run out of time.
“If Adelaide comes up a bit quick we’ll certainly trot off to Brisbane with her and aim her for the Queensland Oaks,” he said.
“She’s certainly one that when we step her up in distance can be followed with a bit of confidence.”
The Group One Queensland Oaks (2400m) is run at Eagle Farm on June 2.
Quick Retort is from the Scenic mare Lightning Command, a winner of six races including the Group Three SAJC Rain Lover Plate (2400m) and the Listed Werribee Cup (2000m).
She has been placed in all three starts on provincial tracks and has been slowly away at her last two outings causing Theodore to remove the barrier blanket for Saturday’s race.
Craig Robertson will ride Quick Retort who was the emergency but has gained a start following the scratching of Grave and has drawn barrier six.
Meanwhile, Mornington trainer David Brideoake has a good opinion of Ominous Quality who beat Quick Retort into third place when she won a 1200m Ballarat maiden by 3-3/4 lengths on March 22 before finishing fifth as favourite to Trading Halt over 1400m at Sandown on April 4.
“She’s an emerging horse. She has drawn a lovely gate (three),” Brideoake said.
“She had no luck whatsoever last time when she went around at Sandown.
“In what we consider a fairly tough assignment (at Flemington) she is a horse with ability and on the way up.
“I would say she’ll be just behind the speed and probably gets her chance tomorrow.
“She has been great this prep and will be even better next prep.”
