The Silk Stocking could be the stepping stone to a Stradbroke Handicap berth for Conquering Queen who sizzled across the turf to score a brilliant first-up win at Doomben.At her first run since November, Conquering Queen ($2.10 fav) extended her winning sequence to three when she dashed home the final 600m of Saturday's Darley Handicap (1010m)in 33.33s to defeat Monashee Dancer ($3.70) by three-quarters of a length.Promising sprinter Baqaba ($4.40) came from last to finish a half length back in
The Silk Stocking could be the stepping stone to a Stradbroke Handicap berth for Conquering Queen who sizzled across the turf to score a brilliant first-up win at Doomben.
At her first run since November, Conquering Queen ($2.10 fav) extended her winning sequence to three when she dashed home the final 600m of Saturday's Darley Handicap (1010m)in 33.33s to defeat Monashee Dancer ($3.70) by three-quarters of a length.
Promising sprinter Baqaba ($4.40) came from last to finish a half length back in third.
But the honours were clearly with Conquering Queen who stopped the clock at 57.38s, just outside Star Of Florida's track record of 56.63s set in 2004.
Conquering Queen was one of two horses Toby Edmonds brought north when he relocated from Sydney to the Gold Coast in his role as foreman to Patinack Farm head trainer John Thompson.
Edmonds said Conquering Queen had overcome a minor setback with a stone bruise early in her campaign and he confirmed it was all systems go for the Listed $150,000 Silk Stocking (1200m) at the Gold Coast on May 8.
"That's the only race set in stone for her at this stage," Edmonds said.
"There are plenty of options for her after that. She could be a lightweight chance in the Stradbroke and the Winter Stakes could also be an option.
"Another big bonus for her during the winter is she is a very good wet tracker."
The Ipswich Cup (2150m) on June 15 will be the winter target for another Doomben winner, Pyramids, from the stable of Gerald Ryan who won Saturday's Group One TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick with Melito.
Pyramids battled to a narrow but deserved victory in the Open Handicap (1615m) andRyan's foreman Matt Dunn said he would now be stepped up in distance.
At his last trip to Ipswich, Pyramids finished a close-up sixth behind Mitanni in the 2009 Eye Liner over 1350m but the hulking grey gelding's new found preference for more ground has him on track for a Cup start.
Confidently ridden by Jim Byrne, Pyramids raced in contrast to his preferred pattern when Byrne parked him outside the pacemaker Rebounded and the $1.40 favourite sprinted home his final 400m in 23.12secs to score a nose win.
Rebounded ($8) responded to Mandy Radecker's gentle persuasion to finish a game second with Pleasure Time ($7) two lengths back in third.
Dunn said Pyramids had proven reluctant to settle as a younger horse but he was he starting to relax with maturity.
"He's not suited by a slow pace and he's a better horse when he's ridden with cover," "We'll take him along gently and a race like the Ipswich Cup should suit him.