Trainer Robbie Griffiths has revealed that The Quarterback is a chance of contesting the 2014 The Goodwood at Morphettville on May 10 after he returned to winning form in the Bert Bryant Handicap (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
The Quarterback returned to the winners stall with a memorable victory in the Bert Bryant Handicap at Caulfield on Saturday. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
The Quarterback was positioned towards the tail of the field by jockey Matthew Allen and the Street Boss gelding was running second last at the 300 metre mark, but showed impressive acceleration to storm home on the inside of the field and record his first race win since he took out the Inglis Trophy (1400m) at Sale last year.
“He was terrific,” Griffiths told RSN this morning.
“He is an exciting horse to watch; he has that relaxed style and you always wonder if he is going to get a break in traffic and luckily enough for us he did and the rest is history.
“It was certainly exciting to watch.
“Thankfully he has that turn-of-speed when required and he needs it because he gives away a fair head start, but he was very good on Saturday and I am very pleased with him.”
Griffiths said that The Quarterback had pulled up from the run well and confirmed that he will take the three-year-old to Adelaide, but is unsure which to contest with the talented galloper.
The Group 2 Euclase Classic (1200m) at Morphettville on May 3 against other three-year-olds is one possible option for The Quarterback, but Griffiths is considering throwing the gelding in the deep end against older horses in the Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) the following weekend.
“He has pulled up terrifically and he has come through the run really well,” Griffiths said.
“He will go to Adelaide in either two weeks or three weeks.
“It depends on whether we stick to the three-year-olds for the Group 3 race over 1200 or have a crack at The Goodwood.
“We will work that out once we access both options.”
The Quarterback started his autumn preparation with an eye-catching third behind Bull Point in the Group 3 Manfred Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 1 and was third in the Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on February 15, but he failed to fire two weeks later in the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m).
After a brief stint in the spelling paddock, The Quarterback returned to the races in the Smithfield Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on April 5 and finished a narrow third behind Churchill Dancer before winning the Bert Bryant Handicap on Saturday.
Griffiths will be chasing his first win in The Goodwood after finishing second in the 2005 edition of the race with Solar Antiquity.
