Torio's Quest will trial at Cranbourne before going to either the Crystal Mile or the Sale Cup

Trainer Brett Partelle has revealed that Torio’s Quest’s failure in the Toorak Handicap last start was due to his tongue getting caught over the bit during the race.

Partelle went into the race with high expectations of the four-year-old gelding after his first-up second to Master Of Design in the Group 2 Sebring Sprint.

“Unfortunately we’re very sure he got his tongue over his bit,” Partelle said.

“When he got back he was gasping for air.

“He had an elevated heart rate.

“We’re sure of what’s happened and we just have to rectify the problem as soon as possible.”

The trainer will send the four-year-old gelding for a trial at Cranbourne on Monday before sending him to either the $200,000 Crystal Mile on Cox Plate Day or the Sale Cup on October 19.

“He’ll trial on Monday at Cranbourne and (we’ll) have a look at him under pressure,” he said.

“The fact that on Saturday that he has got his tongue over… (makes me want to know) was he a bit panicky? Was he a bit jumpy?

“That’s why I want to give him a trial at Cranbourne.”

Torio’s Quest has been in stellar form since his dominant four length win in the Group 2 Queensland Guineas at Eagle Farm in June.

The Oratorio gelding has won five of his 12 race starts and as earned more than $860,000 in prize money.