Brendon Hawtin
Trish Dunell
The connections of Quantum have decided against tossing the youngster in at the deep end this weekend.
Trainer Brendon Hawtin said they had given serious thought to a crack at Saturday's Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes, but they have opted to chase an easier prize closer to home.
"We're going to go to Ellerslie instead – the Group One has come around just a bit soon for him," Hawtin said.
"We could have rolled the dice and gone to Awapuni, but we think we're better off staying up here and going for the softer option at this stage."
As long as Quantum runs up to expectations, he will be in line for a return to Auckland on April 23 to be tested at Listed level in the Champagne Stakes over a mile.
The son of Keeper was unplaced on debut in the Listed Wellesley Stakes in October and following a break he ran fourth before a tidy first victory at Matamata.
"He only ran out of puff the last bit at Te Rapa and with natural improvement he won nicely and he has improved again since," Hawtin said.
"We're taking small steps with him and in those early three-year-old events next season he's going to be very competitive.
"He doesn't mind a bit of cut in the ground and races like the Wanganui Guineas are really going to suit him." – NZ Racing Desk.
Trainer Brendon Hawtin said they had given serious thought to a crack at Saturday's Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes, but they have opted to chase an easier prize closer to home.
"We're going to go to Ellerslie instead – the Group One has come around just a bit soon for him," Hawtin said.
"We could have rolled the dice and gone to Awapuni, but we think we're better off staying up here and going for the softer option at this stage."
As long as Quantum runs up to expectations, he will be in line for a return to Auckland on April 23 to be tested at Listed level in the Champagne Stakes over a mile.
The son of Keeper was unplaced on debut in the Listed Wellesley Stakes in October and following a break he ran fourth before a tidy first victory at Matamata.
"He only ran out of puff the last bit at Te Rapa and with natural improvement he won nicely and he has improved again since," Hawtin said.
"We're taking small steps with him and in those early three-year-old events next season he's going to be very competitive.
"He doesn't mind a bit of cut in the ground and races like the Wanganui Guineas are really going to suit him." – NZ Racing Desk.