Hawkesbury, Queanbeyan previews: Trainer Ron Quinton is whistling Dixie

Ron Quinton would love nothing more than to play his part in securing his beloved Dixie Blossoms’ first winner as a mum which could come on Tuesday at Hawkesbury.

Hall Of Famer Ron Quinton at his stables in Randwick. Picture By Ryan Osland / The Australian

Trainer Ron Quinton has crafted the perfect scenario on Tuesday at Hawkesbury that could see his beloved mare Dixie Blossoms credited with her first winner as a ‘mum’.

The Hall of Famer has earmarked a return to the same venue at which Dixie’s daughter, Al Flores, has recorded her two equal-best performances to date.

Added to that, Al Flores’ mission on Tuesday is over 1500m, the same distance as Dixie Blossom’s Group 1 major in the Coolmore Classic and the same journey her own October 24 placing.

“It was a good solid run,’’ Quinton said.

“She had every chance the other day and with a bit of luck she’ll have every chance on Tuesday because she’s drawn a good gate.

“She has raced well without winning so it would be nice for everyone if we could just knock the maiden off her.’’

Ronny Quinton has done it again in the Coolmore Classic as Dixie Blossoms smashed them @rosehillgardens today. pic.twitter.com/fbzMJK4caJ

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 16, 2019

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Al Flores will be ridden in Tuesday’s XXXX Gold Maiden Handicap (1500m) by Louise Day who has ridden 15 winners and 31 placegetters for the eight-times Sydney Premiership winning jockey, Quinton.

And while Al Flores will be Day’s 139th ride for Quinton, Rantan in the last will be the first for the reigning, two-time, leading Sydney apprentice Zac Lloyd.

“Zac is a great talent,’’ the 1966/67 champion Sydney apprentice said. “And I am pleased to be able to give him a good ride because I got on very good with his dad (Jeff).’’

Rantan effectively burst onto the scene with a barnstorming win at Newcastle four days ahead of 2024 Derby/Doncaster day.

Backed in from $2.15 into odds-on, Rantan had two others behind her on the turn before charging home down the middle of the Broadmeadow track to win in quick time with even quicker splits.

Rantan flies home to win at @newcastleraces_ for @RonQuinton and Tim Clark! pic.twitter.com/RTMauvqKGV

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 3, 2024

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Granted, Rantan was unable to reproduce that effort in her subsequent three runs but sent out some very encouraging and positive signs when a close-up fourth in an 1100m Benchmark 64 at Hawkesbury on October 24.

“Her run was very good, she only got beat half a length,’’ Quinton said. “ She came out of the gates a bit slow and I think had she jumped a bit better, she probably would have been midfield instead of last.

“She has got to be ridden quiet and patiently but with a bit of luck, she can finish off over the top of them on Tuesday.’’

Rantan races in the same predominantly orange colours of her sire I Am Invincible who famously tested Takeover Target in an epic Goodwood Handicap in 2009.

Hear @RonQuinton's thoughts on the win of Rantan at @newcastleraces_ moments ago... pic.twitter.com/R8Jy9cOdFx

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 3, 2024

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Quinton has plenty of pairs of the silks in his High Street wardrobe, the first set handed to him back when he first opened the door to his stable as a fledgling trainer.

Quinton’s first ‘good horse’ was the Ray Gall-bred Mamzelle Pedrille who won 11 of her 30 starts including seven stakes-races spread across three Eastern States.

As well as that, Mamzelle Pedrille beat Hareeba, Telesto and the rest in the Flying Handicap at the Gold Coast’s annual Prime Minister’s Cup day meeting.

Quinton and Gall will be chasing a potential second winner in the space of five days, both eager to play a role on The Hunter card on Saturday.

“Watch My Girl will be nominated for the Benchmark 78 over 1400m,’’ Quinton said.

The Arrowfield bred daughter of Maurice posted back-to-back wins at Warwick Farm in September prior to her honourable effort in the Group 3 Angst on Everest day where she clocked in three-lengths off the winner, Lekvarte.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

JOE Cleary aims to dominate Tuesday’s Queanbeyan card with a little help from the man he calls Uncle Gerry and two others including one out of his own Wellington Boot winner, Lucy Rose.

Lucy Rose’s mating with Nature Strip’s sire, Nicconi, resulted in Cleary’s now three-year-old filly by the name of A Million Roses, who was spelled after winning her Maiden at home at Queanbeyan in the winter.

“She’s had a really good base,’’ Cleary said. “She had a Moruya jumpout a fortnight ago and this is a nice race for her.

“She’ll be a nice filly in the autumn. She is the sort of horse I’ll be aiming at the Wagga Guineas and hopefully the Canberra Guineas so she is only in for two runs this prep before a short let-up and she’ll be back in over Christmas.’’

Jumping away well from the gates before settling behind the leader, Jack Martin made his move rounding the home turn, urging @RacingCleary's 2yo Nicconi filly A Million Roses to take the prize and break her maiden at Queanbeyan. @anz_news@TTRAusNZ@widdenstud@picnic_racingpic.twitter.com/MWPLAEJJRt

— Elite Racing Services (@andrewn1976) June 22, 2024

Stablemate Hurricane Coni can get things off to the right start for Cleary when he steps out in the 2000m opener on the card.

“He has definitely been screaming out for 2000m,’’ says Cleary. “It was a really good win two starts back and he found the track a little bit firm the other day. He was never comfortable in the run.

“He’ll be ridden on speed, Nick Heywood knows the horse really well, so he is ticking all the right boxes.’’

Cleary’s other two runners on Tuesday were both bred at Baramul Stud by Gerry Harvey, namely Love By Straand and Juliette’s Joy.

Neither Cleary or Harvey have an exact count on their shared tally of winners but the best available figure is 88.

Candidate for number 89 is the well-bred Capitalist filly Love By Straand who makes her NSW debut in the Sheridan Garage Doors Maiden Handicap (1200m).

“She’s a new horse in the stables of Uncle Gerry’s. She came from Mick Price,’’ Cleary said.

“I actually trained the mother of this horse at the back end of her career and I had a really good run with that mare.

“I just feel that the firm track will suit Love By Straand because her mother loved firm tracks.’’

Juliette’s Joy meanwhile will, one day, be a worthwhile edition to the Baramul broodmare band given her epic pedigree.

Not only is she a daughter of Savabeel, her fourth dam Patou is the mother of the Harvey-bred Golden Slipper winner, Polar Success.

Originally published as Hawkesbury, Queanbeyan previews: Trainer Ron Quinton is whistling Dixie