Torio's Quest could be a Cox Plate threat this Spring

Trainer Brett Partelle is adamant that his three-year-old gelding Torio’s Quest will be a big Cox Plate threat later in the year.

The Oratorio gelding has won five of his 10 starts and has accrued more than $820,000 in prize money.

Partelle is considering running Torio’s Quest in the Group 3 Tramway Quality Handicap at Randwick in September for his first-up start.

“He’s only about two weeks off a trial and he’s ticked over beautifully since he’s been back in,” Partelle said.

“We’re still undecided yet (about a campaign) but we’ll be working backwards from the Cox Plate.

“But he’ll probably kick off in a race in Sydney then have two or three in Melbourne to the Cox Plate.”

The trainer believes that the 2,040 metres of the Cox Plate will be perfectly suited to Torio’s Quest’s running style, despite the fact he has currently never run any further than a mile.

“I think it will be right up his alley,” Partelle said.

“He’s only been to a mile once and you saw the acceleration. His turn of foot is devastating.

“I couldn’t be happier with the way he’s come back.

“I’d say he’s the best he’s felt and best he’s looked in his career.”