RACING
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FATHER and son owners, Harold and Warwick Marshall, are glad they listened to the advice of Bathurst trainer Peter W Stanley with Trent's Quest who lines up at Dubbo on Friday.
Earlier this year Trent's Quest, a four-year-old Snippetson gelding, was on the market via a bloodstock sale. The gelding had previously been trained by Gary Portelli and David Pieffer in Sydney, managing to win just one race.
Stanley's keen eye for a cheap buy came to the fore.
"I rang Harold and asked him and Warwick to buy the horse," Stanley recalled.
"I've been very good friends with them for many years.
"I trained a horse called Toga for them which won four races. There's been a few slow ones inbetween but now Trent's Quest has come along."
This is Trent's Quest's first preparation under Stanley who trains the well-performed King Derota, another bargain buy.
The Marshalls are hotelliers who run the Robin Hood and Gladstone hotels in Orange.
Trent's Quest will be out to record his third win since the Marshalls' purchase when he steps out in the Tab.com.au Class 3 Handcap (1110) on Friday.
The gelding, who has "a big chance tomorrow" according to Stanley, scored wins at Muswellbrook and Narromine on March 29 and April 19 respectively.
Last time out Trent's Quest was third to Not A Hint and Destiny Rising in an 1100m Benchmark 65 handicap at Bathurst on May 11.
"He's going pretty good at the moment," Stanley added.
"He's a fair lump of a horse, not real big but a solid, well-built type.
"And he's got a good turn of foot and is pretty versatile. He can either lead or come from behind.
"He pulled up really good after Bathurst. His run there was courageous against a pretty good field. He's back in grade Friday but has got a bit of weight to contend with (60kg).
"I'm happy with the horse. He's doing everything right. He was a bit slow to start off with but now he's clicked right into gear. He appreciates his environment and is a happy horse."