Ron Quinton hopes the focus returns to two of his talented mares at Rosehill as he prepares for a Racing NSW inquiry following the detection of elevated cobalt levels in one of his horses.
One of Sydney’s most respected trainers, Quinton welcomes Dixie Blossoms and Daysee Doom back to racing, three weeks after their comebacks were put on hold.
The two mares were kept at home as Racing NSW stewards investigated Quinton’s stable and took 35 out-of-competition samples.
On Wednesday Racing NSW confirmed Boss Lane’s cobalt level was above the legal threshold in the sample taken before he ran fourth in the Missile Stakes at Randwick On August 5.
Quinton confirmed they were subject to a barrage of tests but could not comment further.
Late on Thursday, the trainer gained a clearance for Daysee Doom and Dixie Blossoms to run on Saturday.
Daysee Doom was a $6.50 chance on Friday with the TAB for the Group Three Sheraco Stakes (1200m).
Dixie Blossoms, a last-start third in the Queen of the Turf in April, lines up in the Group Two Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) on the fourth line of betting at $6.
Quinton said he was confident their campaigns had not been compromised by the setback, noting both mares had trialled impressively either side of their stand-down.
“They’re on track. Both are in really good order, they worked nicely on the course proper (on Tuesday),” Quinton said.
While loath to compare them Quinton acknowledged Daysee Doom, who races for the first time since winning the Dark Jewel Classic in May, had improved dramatically over the past 12 months.
“It’s down to maturity. Some horses take a bit longer. She was a little bit erratic early on. She’s got a bit wiser,” Quinton said.
Dixie Blossoms won the Group Three Angst Stakes last spring and added the Group Two Guy Walter Stakes to her record in February.
The stablemates last raced against each other in the Group Two Emancipation Stakes in March when Daysee Doom was runner-up to Zanbagh and Dixie Blossoms ran third.
Quinton plans for them to clash in the Group Two Golden Pendant (1400m) at Rosehill on September 23, the main goal for this preparation.
Credit: AAP