Torio’s Quest For $250k At Gosford Guineas

Torio’s Quest has been scratched from the Randwick program leaving him open for a shot at the Gosford Guineas tomorrow.

He had been entered for the South Pacific Classic but trainer Brett Partelle made the decision to target the Guineas for a shot at bigger money and hopefully a slightly better track.

“The Guineas is a set weights race and under the conditions he is very favourably placed,” Partelle said.

Torio’s Quest was to carry 58kgs at Randwick but the Gosford move also allows a much more manageable 55kg weight.

Both are Listed races but the $250,000 on offer at Gosford is the most for any rural meeting and more than double th Randwick prize.

“The weather was also a key to where we go,” Partelle said.

“He’s won in the wet but I’d rather it dry so he can use his turn of foot on top of the ground.”

Torio’s Quest is a Magic Millions Guineas winner and is considered a top chance to win at Gosford tomorrow.

His only other race since that big win was a dissapointing unplaced finish in the Darby Munro Stakes

“He’s back to where he was when he won the Magic Millions … in great order,” Partelle said.

Depending on how he pulls up after the Gosford Guineas Torio’s Quest should be on track for a return to Queensland for the Brisbane Winter Carnival.

He does have one more Guineas assignment down south though in the $150,000 Hawkesbury Guineas on April 30.

“Brisbane has been the plan since we decided to skip the Doncaster and he’ll be nominated for the Stradbroke Handicap,” Partelle said.

Partelle had no trouble finding a rider with top jockey Hugh Bowman putting his hand up to try and add to his two race victories with Torio’s Quest.

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