Syndicator Terry Henderson is looking to have two Group One chances at Randwick in the two most prestigious races on the program.
Henderson runs OTI Racing which has Quick Thinker in Saturday’s Australian Derby (2400m) and possibly Night’s Watch in the Doncaster Mile.
Quick Thinker, trained in New Zealand by Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman, won Saturday’s Tulloch Stakes to earn his Australian Derby place.
He will be ridden by visiting New Zealander Opie Bosson with Tulloch rider James McDonald committed to Rosehill Guineas winner Castelvecchio.
Bosson rode the Baker-trained Mongolian Khan to win the Derby in 2015.
The Melbourne-based Henderson races several horses with NZ trainers and Quick Thinker was one who arrived in Sydney before racing across the Tasman was shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The sport is continuing in Australia under strict biosecurity protocols similar to Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan.
“I think our industry have been extremely responsible,” Henderson said.
“We were on the front foot very early, putting measures in place to protect people.
“But we are hanging on a shoe-string here, going day-to-day and hoping not to get any bad news. If we did get some, we would be up against it.”
Quick Thinker is having his second Sydney campaign have won the Ming Dynasty Quality in the spring.
Henderson does not think the seven-day back-up will be a problem and punters have also warmed to the colt who occupies the fourth line of betting behind Group One winners Castelvecchio, Shadow Hero and Warning.
“I think from that we can go into the Derby with some confidence, especially with a little bit of give in the ground,” Henderson said.
“It will be an interesting Derby. What Castelvecchio does I think will be interesting because if they wait for the Queen Elizabeth we would be delighted, but that is probably unlikely.”
Henderson would also like to see the Chris Waller-trained Night’s Watch on the quick back-up after his victory in the Group Three Neville Sellwood Stakes (2000m).
“That win was very welcome. He was starting to become a bit frustrating that horse,” Henderson said.
“He has been racing well, but when they give the others a start it is always going to be difficult.
“We have got him in the Doncaster Mile and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
“The Queen Elizabeth I think will be far too tough, but the Doncaster is a possibility.
“We will just see how he pulls up, but my gut feeling is I wouldn’t mind seeing him in the Doncaster.”
