Lightning Stakes Still a Hopeful Target for The Quarterback

The Quarterback pulled up sore following his unplaced effort in Saturday’s Group 1 Darley Classic, and trainer Robbie Griffiths will face something of a task in having the talented gelding ready for the Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington in early autumn.

Robbie Griffiths is hopeful The Quarterback will be ready to take his place in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes in early autumn. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

A proven performer down the famous Flemington straight, The Quarterback was rated a leading chance of success in the sprint feature over the weekend but finished a credible sixth following a particularly tough run in transit, on the wrong part of the track.

A post-race veterinary exam revealed that the Street Boss gelding had suffered swelling and cuts to the legs, as well as a sore off hind and back from his run in the Darley Classic.

Griffiths said that he had always planned to send The Quarterback to the paddock following his third-up run, but is concerned that the horse will not be ready in time for the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m) on February 18^th.

“He got galloped on quite badly behind and is sore in the hindquarters as a result,” Griffiths told Racing Victoria.

The Quarterback has posted a total of nine wins through his thirty career starts so far and interestingly, five of those have been claimed in races down the Flemington straight.

The now six-year-old has been a consistent performer throughout his entire racing tenure but has undoubtedly returned to competition in career-best condition in 2016.

Resuming in autumn for third in the Listed Kensington Stakes (1000m), The Quarterback ran a credible sixth in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) before delivering a field including some of the world’s best sprinters defeat in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) on March 12^th.

Progressing to fifth in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) and third in the Vobis Gold Sprint (1200m), the gelding out of Soorena returned to the paddock after finishing mid-field in the Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) on May 21^st.

Resuming this time for a commanding win in the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m), The Quarterback finished fourth in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) in his only start prior to the Darley Classic, on October 21^st.

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