STUART WILLIAMS has often eked out further improvement for many of his imports from other yards over the years but his exploits with Quinault this season have taken him to another level. The Oasis Dream gelding had the customary two runs for a handicap mark after joining him from Charlie Appelby but few could have contemplated the heights the horse has soared after a first success of a mark of 59 over six furlongs at Chelmsford in April.
A six-time winning sequence was achieved when Quinault beat Mill Stream a nose off a mark of 90 at Newmarket in July but it looked like the handicapper may have finally has his say when Quinault could only finish third, beaten five and three quarter lengths, to Dark Trooper over six furlongs at Ascot in August.
However, Williams’s rising star was having none of it and gained a seventh success of the campaign when beating last Friday’s Newbury Listed winner Popmaster a neck when returned to seven furlongs at Ascot this month.
The alternative of a return to Ascot on October 7, the Group 2 Challenge Stakes at Newmarket on October 13 and a final foray in the Champions Sprint at Ascot on October 22 remain and Quinault was one of several interesting horses that Williams spoke to Tony Elves for attheraces.com about.
