Gold Coast galloper Tierqualo will return to his home track for the biggest test of his blossoming career following his impressive win in the Listed Queensland Day Plate at Doomben on Saturday.Tierqualo led throughout to notch his fourth win from just seven starts in the $100,000 event but the winning connections had to survive a protest from the runner-up Listen Son before correct weight was posted.Listen Son's rider Kristy Banks fired in an objection and claimed Matthew Palmer allowed Tierqual
Gold Coast galloper Tierqualo will return to his home track for the biggest test of his blossoming career following his impressive win in the Listed Queensland Day Plate at Doomben on Saturday.
Tierqualo led throughout to notch his fourth win from just seven starts in the $100,000 event but the winning connections had to survive a protest from the runner-up Listen Son before correct weight was posted.
Listen Son's rider Kristy Banks fired in an objection and claimed Matthew Palmer allowed Tierqualo to cross her mount when insufficiently clear passing the 1000m in the 1350m race, but stewards dismissed the protest.
Palmer had little hesitation in allowing Tierqualo ($4.40 fav) to stride forward off his wide gate and the flashy grey rallied strongly in the straight to beat Listen Son ($6.50) by a neck with Purettan ($16) a long head back in third.
Winning trainer Kelly Doughty said Tierqualo would be freshened up for three weeks before the $125,000 Gold Coast Guineas (1200m) on May 8.
"He can have a few easy weeks and head to the Guineas," Doughty said.
"I do think he will run a mile (1600m) and we can have a think about the QTC Guineas after his next run.
"To lead all the way like he did today was a great effort but he doesn't have to lead - he's just a very good horse."
Earlier, brilliant juvenile Buffering extended his record to three wins from three starts when he led throughout for an easy victory in the QTIS Handicap (1200m).
Well handled by talented apprentice Mitch Speers, Buffering ($2.35 fav) jumped straight to the front and sprinted quickly in the straight to post a two-length win over Steel Dragon ($5) with Raise Up ($8) three-quarters of a length back third.
Winning trainer Rob Heathcote said Buffering would now be aimed at better-class races starting with the Group Two Champagne Stakes (1200m) at Doomben on May 22 and the Group Two Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm two weeks later.
Buffering is a product of the inaugural QTIS 600 sale and his three wins, all in associated bonus races, have netted his connections, who include current and former Socceroos Craig Moore and Zeljko Kalac, $222,500.