If the message has not sunk in yet for racing enthusiasts, then it never will. QTIS 600 is an out and out success for Queensland racing as evidenced at the Tattersall’s Racing Club hosted meeting at Eagle Farm on Saturday, November 28.

The winner of the Hamilton Hotel QTIS 600 2YO Handicap, Marking Time, collected $74,000 in prizemoney for his 1000 metre effort.

A great collect on a balmy Saturday you might say? However, to put the impact of the added stakes incentive in perspective, had the winner not been a QTIS and QTIS 600 registered horse connections would have collected a mere $32,000 missing out on the $42,000 bonus.

One of Queensland’s famous racing partnerships, trainer Alan Bailey and jockey Glen Colless, were in cahoots again pulling off the two-year-old’s second win in only seven days.

Bailey describes his relaxed mindset prior to purchasing the gelding. “We thought, well it’s on our doorstep and there’s a lot of incentive money there so we should be buying something.

“He was the only one we bought at that sale. So everything’s worked out well.

“We were very happy with the win,” he said. “We couldn’t say we were going to beat the favourite because of the form, but we did rate him.”

After marching to a two and a half length win on his home track at the Gold Coast with Daniel Griffin in the saddle, Bailey made the decision Marking Time was ready for a metropolitan challenge with the QTIS and QTIS 600 added stakes obviously providing a big carrot.

The effort on the Gold Coast should not be passed over lightly, as the gelding by Markane out of Legal Tune was rewarded with a $20,500 cheque, which included a $14,000 QTIS and QTIS 600 prizemoney bonus.

Marking Time was positioned beautifully by Colless just off the pace, however had to overcome a substantial check in his run home at the 300 metre mark.

After overcoming the squeeze by eventual second place runner Norocos (Ron Goltz) and The Barracks (Brad Stewart) Marking Time made easy work of the straight and showed racing maturity beyond his years.

“The race went his way,” Bailey said. “He got a nice run on the fence, then a bit of a check, but got out at the right time and went to the line well. Glen said he picked up well (after the check), and then the last 50 metres he really stretched out.”

Placings fell to Norocos two and a quarter lengths back and a further short neck to Rapid Leica Dane (Brad Pengelly) in his first race outing.

In a warning shot to other trainers, Bailey clearly states his intention for the Magic Millions 2YO Classic if everything goes to plan. “The 1200 metres of the Magic Millions will suit him better again and that’s where we’ll be.”

Stewards, and punters no doubt, sought an explanation from Slice And Dice’s jockey Michael Cahill and trainer Liam Birchley. The $1.50 clear race favourite failed miserably to finish seventh of the eight runners.

The two-year-old colt’s expected late spurt down the middle of the track from his trailing position never eventuated to the surprise of many. The negative turn-around followed his last start six length win over the same distance and track only two weeks ago.