Mr Quickie to kick off SA Derby campaign

Mr Quickie begins his SA Derby campaign when he has his first start for new trainer Phillip Stokes.

Mr Quickie begins a campaign at Flemington that his new trainer hopes can lead to a win in his former home town Derby.

The former Darren Weir-trained three-year-old lines up for Phillip Stokes for the first time in Saturday’s Seppelt Wines Plate .

A newcomer to Victorian training ranks, Stokes has his eyes set on May’s Group One South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphttville.

It is a race Stokes said would mean a lot given he has filled placings in it on a number of occasions.

Stokes said Saturday’s 1400m may be too short but he’s expecting a forward showing.

“He had a trial at Cranbourne and I was really happy with it as he finished it off lovely,” Stokes said.

“He’s not wound up for this but he’s still got a lot of residual fitness from his previous preparation.

“He came to me in great order. He’s a very easy horse to train. He’s got a great attitude.

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“In his trial the other day he was out the back and he finished off well over the line.

“I think he’s an each-way chance on Saturday.”

Following Saturday, Mr Quickie will progress to the Alister Clark Stakes at Moonee Valley on March 15.

There will then be a six-week break until his next start, the Chairman’s Stakes at Morphettville on April 27, with the Derby two weeks later.

Stokes is not concerned by the time between runs.

“I went six weeks between runs with Marju Snip when she won the Australasian Oaks,” Stokes said.

“If they’re clean-winded and fit, they can do it.

“Mr Quickie’s a pretty clean-winded horse and I want to make it the Derby his fourth race being his goal, so I’m happy to at this stage be going that way.”