Quantum Cat may not be the standout performer in Chris Waller’s team, but he has gained notoriety thanks to his unique and eye-catching markings.
The chestnut gelding has developed an almost piebald appearance on his nearside shoulder—something not seen in him when he first arrived in Australia.
“He is everyone’s favourite with his unusual markings. You can’t miss them,” Waller’s assistant Charlie Duckworth said.
“He got ringworm and the ringworm left a scar.
“It changed the hair follicles so they all came back white.”
Although ringworm itself isn’t uncommon, the type of scarring it caused on Quantum Cat is, and Duckworth admitted he’s never seen a similar effect on any other thoroughbred.
Fortunately, the striking coat hasn’t impacted Quantum Cat’s racing potential. It did, however, take him 14 months and around the same number of starts to finally break through for his first Australian win.
That came in The Living Turf Handicap (1800m) at Randwick on Saturday, much to the relief of his stable.
“The last couple of races we have ‘ummed and ahhed’ whether he has been applying himself fully,” Duckworth said.
“At Hawkesbury (two starts ago) he was a little bit unlucky where he got struck across the nose so we gave him the benefit of the doubt.
“Time and time again the jockeys kept saying he was applying himself, he just needed conditions to suit and he got exactly that today. He was certainly trying.”
Zac Lloyd delivered a tactically sharp ride, sending Quantum Cat ($3 fav) to the front mid-straight where he held his advantage to claim a three-quarter length victory over Hollywood Hero ($12), with stablemate Kirkeby ($81) a further margin away in third.
Duckworth confirmed the gelding would be considered for the Listed McKell Cup (2000m) at Rosehill next Saturday, pending how he pulls up this week.
Following his win in The Living Turf Handicap, Quantum Cat’s potential entry in the McKell Cup adds extra intrigue for punters. Early markets and specials are now open at the top-rated Australian betting apps.
