Quarterbar presses on towards Queensland Derby

Trainer Mike Moroney will press on towards the Group One Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm with Quarterbar following the colt's fast-finishing second to Break The Ice in the Coca-Cola Amatil Handicap (1800m) on Wednesday.

Jockey Larry Cassidy was forced to drop out Quarterbar in the early stages before the Victorian unleashed a powerful burst to get within 1-1/4 lengths of the winner.

Moroney was in two minds whether to chase the Queensland Derby or the Group Two Queensland Guineas (1600m) which also is run on Derby day.

"He's missed a bit of work and couldn't run in the Packer Plate in Sydney because of a foot abscess but after this run he'll definitely go on to the Derby now," Moroney said.

"I'll back him up next in the Rough Habit Plate but he showed he's a true stayer.

"He ran on well but I thought he struggled a bit in the wet," Moroney said.

The Group Three Rough Habit Plate (2020m) will be run at Doomben on Saturday week.

Cassidy had Quarterbar under the whip on the home turn and it wasn't until well into the straight that the son of Oratorio responded once he got clear running.

Quarterbar is one of 17 horses Moroney has stabled at Caloundra for the winter including his English import, Glass Harmonium who contests the Group Two Hollindale Stakes (1800m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday.

"I had 12 here originally but another five horses arrived from New Zealand today," Moroney said.

AAP