Chapter and Verse will be ridden closer to the pace when he resumes at Doomben after drawing a single digit barrier for the first time in months in the Listed Keith Noud Quality.
The Keith Noud, named after the legendary race caller and journalist, is the traditional opening to the Brisbane summer carnival and has again attracted a capacity field of 16 runners.
Trainer Desleigh Forster has had Saturday’s Keith Noud Quality (1200m) earmarked as Chapter and Verse’s return race for several months.
Chapter and Verse is resuming after running thirds in the Listed Eye Liner Stakes and Glasshouse Handicap in June.
In both those races he ran home late after being near last in the run.
“We have been able to give him a nice break and then bring him along the way we wanted,” Forster said.
“He has had two soft trials with the latest a fourth on Monday at Doomben.”
“Chapter and Verse did exactly what we wanted running on after sitting deep.”
Forster was pleased when Chapter and Verse drew barrier five on Saturday.
“At his previous three starts he drew barriers 13, 14 and 17 which meant we had to ride him right back in the field,” Forster said.
“But from barrier five we can ride him closer to the speed in the early part of the race. Then he will just need some luck getting into the clear.”
Chapter and Verse won the $1 million Magic Millions QTIS race in January and his aim this campaign is again on Millions day.
“Whether it is again the QTIS race or the Millions Cup is something we can decide later,” Forster said.
A win on Saturday would have special significance for Forster and Chapter and Verse’s breeder Basil Nolan.
This week marked the first anniversary of the death of Nolan’s son, Basil jr in an accident on his farm.
Basil jr had a lot to do with the raising of Chapter and Verse as a young horse at the family’s Raheen Stud.
Forster has a tight-knit group of owners who race horses mainly from Raheen.
“Basil and his family have been great supporters and to win another feature race with one of the horses would be great,” she said.
