After an absence of almost 70 weeks, Group 1 Oakleigh Plate champion Queman returned to racing at Morphettville and showed no signs of rust, securing another black-type success.
The star sprinter had not been seen since April last year when finishing unplaced in the Group 3 RN Irwin Stakes (1100m), but produced a gritty performance to overhaul the Ciaron Maher-prepared Recommendation ($7) in the Group 3 Behemoth Stakes (1200m).
“I am pretty proud of the horse,” said co-trainer Shane Oxlade, reflecting on a win that gave his daughter Cassie a career highlight.
“At 1200 metres I was worried because he likes to get up and get going. He had four 1000-metre jump outs and trials but I thought he might get up and really truck along. I said to Connor (Murtagh) not to chase him up out the gates and just leave him alone. He looked vulnerable but gee he is a tough bugger.”
Earlier in the year, Queman ($8.50) had claimed the Listed W.J Adams Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield before lifting to 1100 metres to narrowly prevail in the Oakleigh Plate.
His career tally now stands at 10 wins and seven placings from 24 starts.
Meanwhile, $2.30 favourite Is It Me looked a danger turning for home before fading to fourth, with trainer Daniel Bowman now targeting the Group 1 Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m).