Quilate pair to team up in Caulfield Cup

Quilate produces a spirited finish to win the Ladies’ Day Vase at Caulfield.

The Trainer Mick Kent and jockey Beau Mertensare hoping a win in a Group Three race may be the forerunner to a bigger prize.

The pair teamed with Quilate to win the Ladies’ Day Vase at Caulfield on Wednesday and combine again with Abbey Marie in Saturday’s Caulfield Cup.

Kent said Quilate had been set for Wednesday’s race before she was sent for a spell after her last preparation.

“We thought she had a bit more to give after her last prep and she really improved and thickened up during her break,” Kent said.

“She ran well first-up, won well second-up and this was the target and I was at least confident she would run a place.”

Quilate is part-owned by her breeder Kristen Manning.

Kent said Manning was a student of pedigrees who dabbled in breeding with Quilate being by an unraced stallion from an unraced mare.

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“She’s line-bred to Eight Carat and Kristen did a similar thing with a horse I had called Fair Trade which was sold to Hong Kong,” Kent said.

Kent is planning another Group Three race at Moonee Valley on October 28 thinking it a better option for the mare than the Group One Myer Stakes at Flemington the following week.

Delighted with Quilate’s victory, Kent couldn’t be happier with Abbey Marie as she heads to the Caulfield Cup.

He said barrier five was an ideal draw for the mare and she won’t have to get back in race as she has been doing.

“We won’t be wasting the barrier,” he said.

“Hopefully she’s not too far off them in the run.

“All her runs have been good and touch wood she’s in good order.”