Quantum King could find himself the banker bet on Thursday 24 February when eight races will be contested on the Turffontein Inside Track.
This Querari colt is carded to line up in Race 6, a MR96 Handicap over 1200m. This will be his second run after a rest, and he is expected to improve vastly on his third place in a very similar contest last time out.
With the benefit of jumping from pole position, his only hurdle seems to be the respiratory noise reported for the first time recently. If problem-free, Johan Janse van Vuuren’s charge should be making a bold bid.
One of the most interesting contenders is the Sean Tarry trained Paisley Park, who spent more than a year recovering from a fracture line, before finishing third in his comeback run on Thursday 17 February at the Vaal.
This Gimmethegreenlight gelding showed tremendous promise as a three-year-old, winning his first three against the likes of Copper Mountain and Vars Vicky. Copper Mountain went on to run third in the Grade 2 Gauteng Guineas last year, finishing just 1.4-lengths behind Triple Crown winner Malmoos. He also ran second to Got The Greenlight in the Grade 1 Horse Chestnut Stakes. Vars Vicky went on to Graded success, winning the Grade 2 Senor Santa Stakes.
With Paisley Park’s comeback run just seven days prior to his next engagement, Tarry has indicated that his charge is an unlikely starter.
“It’s unlikely that we will expect him to run again so soon,” said Tarry after Paisley Park’s comeback outing.
“It’s probably too much to ask after such a long time recovering from injury.
“Unfortunately, I had to nominate him for both races as there was a big chance of today’s (17 February) meeting being affected by rain. The weather forecast predicted thunderstorms.
“Obviously we will have to see how he recovers, but in all honesty, he’s an unlikely starter come next Thursday.”
Regardless of whether he does line up on Thursday, he definitely is one to keep an eye on later this season.
Others in the race who could pose a threat to Quantum King are Theory Of Flight and Val D’Orcia, but both have been running successfully over further recently. The former might not enjoy dropping back in distance.
Clive Robinson
