Trainer rapt

Trainer Phillip Stokes is hoping to successfully execute a long range plan with Mr Quickie (Shamus Award) in the $5 million All-Star Mile.

Connections of the 4-year-old decided after his spring campaign to set him for Saturday's race at Caulfield without a lead-up run.

"I couldn't be happier and he's shown me all the right signs. His trials have been on par with what he was doing before last prep,” Stokes said.

"He's a bigger and stronger horse and we know that his first-up form is good. Damien Oliver rode him in his last gallop on Tuesday and he pulled up well in the wind so I feel his fitness and everything is good. He'll run a big race."

Asiago strikes again

Asiago (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) doubled her Group 3 tally when the James Cummings-trained filly added the Kembla Grange Classic to her record.

Successful in the G3 Spring S. last November, she raced in the body of the field before rider Hugh Bowman weaved a path between runners in the straight to account for the previously unbeaten Shout The Bar (Not A Single Doubt).

“The penny is just starting to drop with her now and she does like a bit of give in the ground,” stable representative Darren Beadman said.

“James will work it out, but there may be something else for her at the tail end of the carnival or in Brisbane.”

Back-up plan

Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young will run Inverloch (Ire) (Fastnet Rock) and Salsamor (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) in next weekend’s Listed Mornington Cup if they run well in the Prelude on Saturday.

The Cup gives the winner a ballot-free exemption into the G1 Caulfield Cup in October.

"One hundred per cent we would back-up," Busuttin said. "It’s a $350,000 race, they're both geldings and they're there to be racehorses.

"It's a $150,000 race on Saturday, so it's good money to be racing for. Neither horse is a superstar, but they're genuine, honest horses."

Success overdue

Trainer Desleigh Forster hopes Chapter And Verse (Rothesay) can end the frustrating run of minor placings she has had in the Listed Goldmarket H.

Forster sent Malvern Estate (Redoute’s Choice) to finish runner-up in the past two Goldmarkets and narrowly beaten on both occasions.

Forster gave Chapter And Verse a short break after he finished midfield in the Sunshine Coast Cup in January with the idea of bringing him back for the Goldmarket. The gelding usually gets back in his races but led most of the way in the trial.

"He won't be leading on Saturday, but he should be a bit closer than usual," Forster said. "The winter is just around the corner and he should play some role, but whether that is in the top races remains to be seen," she said.

Coronavirus discussion

The influence of coronavirus on Queensland's winter carnival will be a major topic for discussion at an upcoming meeting of club officials.

The annual quarterly meeting of south east Queensland clubs is expected to come up with a contingency plan should the coronavirus pandemic lead to cancellation or postponement of major events.

The winter carnival, which is the life blood of racing in Queensland, is scheduled to start late next month. The major part of the carnival is in May and June when some major outdoor functions have already been cancelled.

Ready for Guineas

Unbeaten 3-year-old filly Levante (NZ) (Proisir) will tackle Group company for the first time on Saturday when she contests the G2 Wellington Guineas at Trentham.

“I’m very happy with her preparation,” co-trainer Ken Kelso said. “Her work on Wednesday was first-class on the course proper against the rail.

“She has never left the Waikato, that is probably a question mark, but she has a fantastic attitude. She is very laid back and a great eater.”

Vale Derby winner

War Emblem (USA), winner of the 2002 G1 Kentucky Derby and G1 Preakness S., has died aged 21.

He had been at Old Friends Farm, a thoroughbred retirement centre since 2015 after returning from stud in Japan.

War Emblem also won the G1 Haskell Invitational S. and retired with seven wins from 13 career starts.

He was sold for US$17 million (AU$27,000,000) to Shadai Stallion Farm in Japan where he proved a difficult, but talented stallion, siring fewer than 200 foals at stud. His best representative was the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies’ S. winner Robe Tissage (Jpn).

Frustration continues

Trainers Peter and Will Hulbert’s run of frustrating draws with Oh Five Glory (Unencumbered) has continued with the filly drawing another wide gate in Saturday’s 3-year-old Jewel at the Gold Coast.

"The last time she drew a good barrier was when she had the rails and she was second in the Listed Mode Plate during the winter," Peter Hulbert said.

"She really should have won more races. She's won nearly $300,000 in prizemoney and been placed twice in stakes company so she owes us nothing.

"She did the best of the Queensland horses in Sunlight's Magic Millions at the Gold Coast, but she will want some luck again on Saturday. Maybe a wet track will make barriers less important and we can only hope."

In-form contender

Exciting Taranaki mare Sinarahma (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) will be looking to add the G3 Wentwood Grange Cuddle S. to her record at Trentham on Saturday.

The Allan Sharrock-trained 5-year-old has won three of her five starts this campaign, including a last start victory in the Listed Wairarapa Breeders’ S. at Tauherenikau.

“I am very happy with her, she has flown through her prep. She has had a nice, soft trial at Foxton to get her ready for it and hasn’t turned a hair, her work has been super.

“I am pretty happy with our mare, but Yearn is the one to beat for sure.”