Group 1 winner Queman in ‘good order' but return hinges on weather
Queman hasn't raced for 15 months, the gelding finished 10th in the Group 3 Irwin Stakes last year before sustaining a sesamoid injury that derailed the sprinter's spring campaign.
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A dominant Morphettville trial win on July 3 showed that the son of Mint Lane is ready to return to his blitzing best.
However, with heavy rainfall predicted this week, and a significant impost of 64kg, Oxlade won't be rushing the six-year-old back as a heavy track looms on Saturday.
All nine of Queman's career wins have come on a good-rated surface.
• 'Wasn't in my wildest imagination': Milnes poised for premiership glory
The 2024 Oakleigh Plate winner is an acceptor for an Open Handicap (1050m), with Victorian apprentice Emily Pozman booked to ride.
'I didn't have any choice but to claim really,' Oxlade, who trains in partnership with daughter, Cassie, said to Racing.com on Wednesday.
'I'm hoping the bureau of meteorology is wrong again and it's not a heavy track.
'I'd be happy with a dead or a soft, I've got to be honest, I probably won't be there if it's heavy – I just don't need to do that to him.
'I'm hoping the weather is fine, he's in good order, he's had a couple of jumpouts and trials, I'm really happy with him.
'He'll certainly improve off the run, but he'll run well.'
Trainers Cassie & Shane Oxlade and connections (left to right) pose after Queman won the Oakleigh Plate. Picture: Getty Images
• SA recap: Small stable on fire, gelding finally salutes two years on
The Woodchester handler was all smiles after Wednesday's opener at Murray Bridge, when exciting two-year-old Captain Happy pulled off an impressive on-speed win in a Class 1 Handicap (1100m).
Oxlade forked out $50,000 for the son of Written Tycoon at last year's Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
'He's just genuine, he goes into the gates, stands, begins, (he) does everything right and he did again today,' he said.
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