Emotional QTIS Win for Chapter and Verse

Emotional QTIS Win for Chapter and Verse

Queensland trainer Desleigh Forster celebrated one her biggest moments in racing when her stable pin-up Chapter And Verse stormed to victory in Saturday’s $1 million Racing Queensland Magic Millions QTIS Open (1300m) at the Gold Coast.

The four-year-old burst clear at the 100m to defeat Tony Gollan’s Tokoriki Lad by three quarters of a length, with another length back to In His Stride in third.

An emotional Forster, who secured the son of Rothesay for $28,000 2016 Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale, paid tribute to the Nolan family, who bred the galloper at their Raheen Stud.

Raheen studmaster Basil Nolan Junior was tragically killed in a farm accident in early November.

“This is unbelievable,” Forster said.

“These sort of races don’t come around often and this little horse is just an absolute gem.

“No jokes aside, two runs ago he got a cold when Cadogan went past him and then we took him home and he was probably just unlucky the other day.

“It’s a bit tough too, Basil and Di Nolan bred this horse and they’ve done a fair bit for me.”

For South African jockey Mark Du Plessis, the victory was his most significant since making the move to Australia.

“There will be a handful of people in my life that will know how I’m feeling right now, to get a big one in Australia, it’s what I’ve always wanted to do,” Du Plessis said.

“Des has been a really good supporter of mine since I got here and to be honest, she was a big influence in me staying (in Queensland) so to do this for her and her owners is indescribable.”