There were post race dramas with the connections of the runner-up firing in a protest which was subsequently dismissed by stewards.
The Derby triumph for Mr Quickie was just rewards for the exciting three-year-old after his luckless third in the recent South Australian blue riband at Morphettville.
The Group One success capped an incredible campaign for the son of Shamus Award – his fourth win in six starts – he was placed in the other two.
“Johnny gave him a great ride,” winning trainer Phillip Stokes said. “We stuck with him and he wove his magic.”
“It’s a big thrill to get a good winner for Wylie Dalziel, Rosemont, Peter Moody and all the boys in it – they’re big supporters of our stable.”
“It’s also a big thrill to have my first Group One winner out of Pakenham. We flew him up here a couple of days ago.”
“Credit to the horse,” Stokes added. “He’s a serious horse.”
After getting buried back in the field along the fence the ride from John Allen was first class – despite having to withstand a protest post-race.
“We had to take a few tight gaps,” Allen said. “But he accelerated well when he got them.”
“When he got to the front he had a bit of a look around but we always had it up our sleeves,” Allen added.
With nine wins and three placings from just 13 starts, Mr Quickie is a revelation. His earnings are now just shy of $1 million.
Mr Quickie, bred by the team at Rosemont Stud, was sold for $115,000 at the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale where he caught the eye of syndicator Wylie Dalziel and his mate and adviser, former champion trainer Peter Moody.
Moody was so taken with the youngster he bought a share, while Rosemont also later purchased back into Mr Quickie – a wise decision indeed.
The first Group One winner for the Cox Plate winner Shamus Award, Mr Quickie is the first winner from two named foals for the General Nediym mare Special Favour.
Special Favour, a winner in Perth over 2200 metres, is a daughter of the New Zealand based triple Group Two winner and Group One placegetter My Tusker.
Winner: Mr Quickie
Breeding: Shamus Award-Special Favour (General Nediym)
Race: BRC Queensland Derby G1 (2400m)
Sold for: $115,000
Sale: 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Rosemont Stud
Buyer: Dalziel Racing
Earnings: $939,700
Owner(s): Wylie Dalziel Roy Higgins Racing, PG Moody, Snow Road Thoroughbreds (Mgr: GN Mcnulty), Rosemont Stud Pty Ltd (Mgr: AP Mithen), F Cimera, 21st Century Trade Group No 5 Pty Ltd, BW Hurrell, RY Recep, C De Bortoli, MA Mitchell, KH Warriner, Shangi Charges & KF McDonald
Trainer: Phillip Stokes (Pakenham On Course)
