Torio's Quest will have to overcome a foot injury to target the Magic Millions Cup

Brett Partelle is hoping Torio’s Quest will be up and running again in time for next month’s Magic Millions Carnival at the Gold Coast.

Torio’s Quest was at his career best when he broke free from his stalls prior to the Group 2 Shannon Stakes and ran through a fence.

While the injury was first believed to be just a few minor abrasions, Torio’s Quest’s condition grew ever worse and turned into a campaign-ending abscess in his foot.

The injury was discovered after he finished last in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap on at Caulfield October 8.

“He succumbed to a very very bad abscess in Melbourne,” Partelle said.

Partelle is hopeful Torio’s Quest will be able to resume in time for the 1,400 metre Magic Millions Cup on January 14.

The trainer is slowly easing the four-year-old gelding into work by putting him on the water walker at his home stables in Wyong.

“At the moment he’s been on the water walker,” Partelle said.

“We’ll step him up next week and see if he can step up to the Magic Millions.

“The next 7-10 days will tell the true story.

“(The foot) looks pretty stable at the moment.”

Partelle is yet to map out a pre-race program for Torio’s Quest, but says he may go into the Magic Millions with just a barrier trail under his belt.

“He seems to race very well fresh,” Partelle said.

Hugh Bowman is likely to be handed the ride aboard Torio’s Quest should he make the Magic Millions.

“Probably Hughey would go back on him. He knows him very well. Obviously he’s the first choice,” the trainer said.

Hugh Bowman has ridden Torio’s Quest to three of his five wins, including the Group 2 Queensland Guineas at Eagle Farm in June this year.

Torio’s Quest has won five of his 12 career starts and has earned more than $860,000 in prize money.

The Oratorio gelding was a bargain buy from the 2009 Adelaide Magic Millions Yearling Sale, where he was purchased for just $15,000.