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Mr Quickie in order for Stradbroke Handicap

3 minute read

Stradbroke Handicap mission almost complete for Mr Quickie.

MR QUICKIE. Picture: Racing Photos.

Mr Quickie is in perfect order ahead of his shot at maintaining a perfect Eagle Farm record. 

The Phillip Stokes-trained galloper is topweight for the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) on Saturday in which he shares the third line of favouritism at $9 behind Wild Planet and Vega One ($6) in the pre-barrier draw market. 

Mr Quickie's only other start at Eagle Farm resulted in a win in the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m), run at the same meeting two years ago. 

Stokes said Mr Quickie flies to Brisbane on Tuesday night after his final gallop at Pakenham on Monday. 

"He was good, very fresh and happy," Stokes told RSN. 

"He's never been sounder, he's a more mature horse. I'm really happy with him. 

"The biggest thing with him, he's got to step and hopefully take up a midfield position and show that turn of foot. 

"We've had this in the back of our mind for quite a while. It looks a nice handicap race for him and he's been set for this." 

Mr Quickie was successful in the Group 3 Victoria Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield on April 3 before running second to So Si Bon in the VOBIS Gold Mile (1600m) at Caulfield two weeks later. 

Unfortunately, Stokes will be unable to accompany Mr Quickie to Brisbane for Saturday's assignment with Queensland Health denying entry to Victorians without undergoing 14 days quarantine. 

Instead, Stokes will be at Sandown on Saturday watching Mr Quickie compete. 

"I'll be sending up my longtime foreman in Adelaide Adam Brewster," Stokes said. 

"He's been with us for 15 or 20 years and he's excited to be going up there to look after Mr Quickie." 

As he did after winning the Derby, Mr Quickie will winter in Queensland ahead of preparing for a tilt at the Melbourne Spring Carnival. 

"It's the place to be at this time of year," Stokes said.