Dalton may return for QTIS
The lure of QTIS prizemoney could see Sydney youngster Dalton return to Queensland for a shot at Brisbane winter carnival riches following the colt's impressive victory at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Dalton, a son of Freeze, has proven to be a great money-spinner for connections after the youngster was knocked down to Team Hawkes for a paltry $20,000 at last year's Magic Millions QTIS sales.
Dalton broke through for his first win with a commanding one length victory over Jolie Madeleine in the Bollinger Handicap (1000m).
Aquator was a further 1-1/2 lengths away third.
"We bought him simply to have some fun with and put some good clients into him," said co-trainer Michael Hawkes.
"We bought him at the QTIS sales with these races in mind.
"He'll go for a spell now and we won't hesitate putting him on a float and heading back to Brisbane for more QTIS races during the winter."
Dalton made his race debut at Flemington last October but could manage only ninth to Kuroshio in the Listed Superracing Stakes (1000m).
"He over-raced that day so we put him away for a break straight after the race," Hawkes said.
"When he came back into work we brought him back to Sydney and he trialled extremely well at Rosehill.
"We accepted him with at Eagle Farm and Warwick Farm two weeks ago but he was second emergency in Sydney and had barrier six in Brisbane so we took him there."
Dalton needed to win at Eagle Farm to qualify for the Magic Millions Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on January 12 but unfortunately met the eventual winner Real Surreal at Eagle Farm on January 5.
"We thought he was a good chance and would win at Eagle Farm that day but he was beaten by a special filly in Real Surreal," Hawkes said.
"Real Surreal went on to frank the form by winning the Magic Millions.
"After we missed out on the Magic Millions we left him in Queensland with this race in mind because it was a QTIS race.
"He's only had three starts and he's done a great job so far and has earned almost $50,000 in prizemoney.
"He's been a good little money-spinner and will only get better."
Jockey Michael Cahill had a few anxious moments during the race but was always confident of picking up the leaders after straightening.
"He wanted to get racing and got up onto their heels coming to the home turn so I had to check him," Cahill said.
"But as soon as he got to the outside I was pretty confident he'd be too good for them."
Racing Queensland