The AUD1,500,000 G1 Newmarket Handicap is squarely in the crosshairs after injury plagued Quantico scorched the turf to land the AUD200,000 G3 Davali Thoroughbred Southern Cross Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick (Sydney) at his first run in 11 months.
The John O’Shea trained six-year-old is gifted but those gifts have only been seen on 12 occasions across four seasons of racing to date netting seven wins and a second. Quantico was among the leading contenders for the 2022 Newmarket Handicap having closed 2021 with a trio of wins including success in the Listed MSS Security Sprint at Flemington. A second attempt is now a priority for the son of I Am Invincible who has also been nominated for elite racing at the Dubai World Cup undercard.
There was no doubting the delight of connections and O’Shea who was quick to praise the collective effort required to help rehabilitate Quantico during his 11 month hiatus.
“It’s really rewarding for everyone associated with the horse,” the trainer said.
“The vets, Harry Mitchell at Yarraman Park, the young guy that looks after our horses at the beach, and my staff here… it’s been a really big achievement from a good team and they should all pat themselves on the back.
“[Quantico] was rusty today and has enormous improvement to come. I believe he has a really good race in him as he gets some more miles under his belt.”
Quantico settled midfield in the nine strong field under champion jockey Kerrin McEvoy and was allowed to slide up the famous Randwick rise before moving through his gears to close strongly for a determined return triumph. On the line, the bay had a neck to spare over his rivals, but it wasn’t the margin that matters it was the winning return after an extended break.
Quantico is one of a select number of older performers for China Horse Club and partners, the highest profile of the current older gelding being dual Magic Millions hero King of Sparta. The duo fall outside of the club’s primary ‘stallion making model’ but have been persevered with in the hope they can deliver on promise hinted at.
King of Sparta has delivered with successes in the 2023 AUD1,000,000 Magic Millions Snippets and 2022 AUD2,000,000 Magic Millions 3YO Guineas. He may yet contest the G1 Oakleigh Plate later this month.
Injury has disrupted Quantico’s attempts to replicate that success, but if he can stay injury free and avoid wet tracks there is every chance he can build further on his career prize money of AUD400,000.
Aside from the duo, the club and partners will be unleashing G1 winning four-year-old entires In The Congo and Artorius this autumn and G2 winner Marine one. The latter made an encouraging return to racing after a 10 month break when threatening in the G2 Rubiton Stakes, a contest he won 12 months ago.
In The Congo and Artorius will be bidding to enhance already impressive curriculum vitaes with the latter intending to return to Royal Ascot for a second tilt at the G1 Platinum Jubilee.
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