The two horses carrying trainer Robbie Griffiths’ hopes of a breakthrough Group One success this autumn will take important steps towards their targets at Flemington on Saturday.
The Quarterback stamped himself as a genuine Australian Guineas chance with an eye-catching first-up third in the Manfred Stakes two weeks ago.
He is on the second line of betting for Saturday’s Group Three CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) and also shares the second line of betting for the Group One Australian Guineas (1600m) on March 1.
Girl In Flight, meanwhile, resumes from a spell in her first stakes test in the Group The Vanity (1400m) as she kicks off a campaign aimed at the ATC Oaks in Sydney.
But Griffiths said the filly could instead head to the Australasian Oaks (2000m) in Adelaide if she shows there is a doubt over her at 2400m.
Griffiths would love to notch his maiden Group One in the coming weeks, having been close before.
“It’s what we all want to achieve and we haven’t been able to get, so hopefully these two are the right candidates for us to reach that milestone,” Griffiths said.
The Quarterback, who was impressive in wins at Bairnsdale and Sale last campaign, powered home from last giving weight to most of his rivals in the Manfred (1200m) behind Bull Point in an encouraging return.
“I think he’ll be very competitive on Saturday but whatever he does there’s more room for improvement when he meets them two weeks later on grand final day in the Guineas at set weights,” Griffiths said.
Girl In Flight is unbeaten in three starts in restricted grade but Griffiths is keeping first-up expectations in check against the likes of Scratchy Bottom.
