A start for Qewy in the Group 3 $300,000 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) at Flemington on Saturday will be confirmed closer to the weekend.

Qewy, above has been installed the favourite for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Qewy, above has been installed the favourite for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Godolphin’s English trainer Charlie Appleby wants to give Qewy as much time as possible to recover from his first up win in the Group 3 $300,000 Jayco Bendigo Cup (2400m) at Bendigo on October 30 and will rely on reports from his travelling foreman Chris Cornnett before clearing the eight year old to run in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

“The first few days after the race it had taken a little bit out of him but we’re happy with him at the moment,” Connett told racing.com.

“He stretched his legs this morning and Carey (Williamson) who rides him was very happy with him.

“We’re going to accept with him and Charlie will make a decision over the next couple of days.”

Qewy was received the visitor’s draw and will jump from the outside of the ten horse Queen Elizabeth Stakes field with Bendigo Cup winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle again.

If Qewy takes his place in the field on Saturday, he will give Appleby a great chance to win back to back Queen Elizabeth Stakes after Francis Of Assisi romped home last year with a ten lengths winning margin over Vengeur Masque.

Bookmakers at Ladbrokes.com.au have installed Qewy as the $3.60 favourite for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes ahead of the Darren Weir pair of Gallic Chieftain at $4.20 and Bendigo Cup runner up Kiwia at $4.50.

Gallic Chieftain is coming off a last start second to Vengeur Masque in the Group 3 $300,000 Geelong Cup (2400m) at Geelong on October 25 while Kiwia was a winner two starts back in the Group 3 $150,000 Priceline Pharmacy Coongy Cup (2000m) at Caulfield on October 21.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.