Dixie Blossoms comes up roses for Quinton

Ron Quinton’s 100th runner of the season has delivered the desired result at Randwick, giving the champion jockey-turned-trainer a win after a tragic start to the year.

Quinton’s wife, Margaret, died from a heart attack on January 8, and jockey Tim Clark was happy to give him a reason to smile with victory on Dixie Blossoms in the Group Two Guy Walter Stakes (1400m) on Saturday.

Quinton’s ninth win of the term was the most comprehensive as Dixie Blossoms obliterated her rivals to romp home 6-1/2 lengths clear of Zanbagh ($8).

Flippant ($5.50) was third, 1-1/2 lengths behind Zanbagh.

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The $3.10 favourite lived up to that billing by recording the fourth win of her 12-start career – a solid stepping stone towards the Group One Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill on March 11.

“She’s such an adaptable mare, isn’t she,” Quinton said after the four-year-old out of Street Sense made light of a heavy track.

Dixie Blossoms was in complete control before registering the biggest winning margin on Chipping Norton Stakes Day on Saturday.

“The last thing we probably thought was she’d be leading. By the same token she got there by default and was able to go along at three-quarter pace,” Quinton said, adding “she’ll be ideal” for the Coolmore.