Racing: Partelle requests good track for Stradbroke

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Trainer Brett Partelle believes Torio's Quest can prove he's the real deal given the right track conditions in the A$1 million Stradbroke Hcp at Eagle Farm.

Partelle has been forced to alter the work schedule for Torio's Quest ahead of Saturday's group one feature after a heavy track forced the 4-year-old's scratching from last Saturday's QTC Cup (1200m) at Eagle Farm.

"He did appropriate work at Eagle Farm on Saturday morning, instead of running in the QTC Cup," Partelle said yesterday.

"I've had to split his work this week because he had a hard gallop on Saturday morning and he'll gallop again tomorrow."

Partelle is desperate for a dry surface for Torio's Quest, who he billed as a potential group one winner after winning the Magic Millions Guineas at the Gold Coast last year. Torio's Quest's only victory since his Magic Millions success was a runaway four-length win in the Queensland Guineas (1400m) at Eagle Farm 12 months ago.

The son of Oratorio is unbeaten in two Queensland starts and is a $9 chance to maintain his perfect record in the Stradbroke Handicap.

At his last appearance before heading to Queensland, Torio's Quest conceded 5kg when runner-up to Riva De Lago over 1300m at Scone last month.

"He's very happy and has settled in well since arriving on the Gold Coast last Thursday," Partelle said.

"If we get a decent surface we're quietly confident. He's going to improve after his last run at Scone when they smashed the class record.

"He has bounced through the rain well and is very good in the coat."

"If we can get a firm track they'll all know he's there. He's nearly back to his Queensland Guineas form."

Track manager Bill Shuck believes Eagle Farm could come back to dead if fine weather prevails but rain is forecast for Friday and Saturday.

Meanwhile, John O'Shea will see how the weather unfolds before confirming if $5.50 favourite Sea Siren lines-up, while Tim Martin's Pampelonne worked strongly at Eagle Farm yesterday but remains unlikely to make the starting field.

"Sea Siren's work this morning was outstanding and she attacked the line strongly when she worked on the outside of the Gold Coast course proper," O'Shea said yesterday.

- AAP