Hong Kong’s loss has been Mark Minervini’s gain with the seemingly unwanted gelding Quick Tempo aiming to stretch his unbeaten sequence to four when he returns to Taree for his biggest test so far.

Quick Tempo made some giant strides in his first campaign, winning a maiden at Mudgee on debut, a Class 1 at Muswellbrook followed by a drama charged win at Taree at his most recent appearance on October 15.

The son of Rubick could just as easily have been racing at Happy Valley or Sha Tin, but luckily as it turned out for Minervini, the Hong Kong deal never eventuated.

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‘’I am looking at heading to the city, maybe midweek or at the Canterbury night meetings,’’ Minervini says.

“That’s my thinking, that he will graduate to there. I am hoping that he could win another country race only to continue his education and hopefully continue the picket fence.’’

Today’s SKY Racing World Benchmark 66 Handicap (1000m) is the strongest race Quick Tempo has yet contested – barring any significant absentees on the day – but he’ll arrive in tremendous shape.

“He’s in great order,’’ Minervini reported.

‘’He galloped on Thursday morning and fair dinkum. I don’t think his feet touched the ground, he’s that quick.

“In hindsight he’s well named.’’

While he lacks nothing in speed or talent, Quick Tempo is understandably a bit short on racecraft but long on desire as evidenced when he bagged his hat-trick at Taree in mid-October.

‘’I think good horses can get out of trouble and he’s got that ability to turn it around pretty quick,’’ Minervini said.

‘’He had no right to win really last start but as soon as he saw that gap, he burst throughout it and it was all over in fifty yards.’’

Quick Tempo took home $17,905 at each of his three wins, his current balance of $53,715 is a handsome return on investment.

Quick Tempo was bought by Minervini for $20,000 at Round 2 of the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale in 2020.

There was only one horse that made less than Quick Tempo, and it’s headed to Thailand.

Quick Tempo will have company on the float from Newcastle to Taree on Monday with stablemate Essoess headed back to what is a favoured venue for the five-year-old.

A rare grey son of Choisir, Essoess has raced six times at Taree for a win and three thirds.

Minervini’s gelding was $61 into $26 when he resumed at Scone and while clocking in well down the order, the trainer is forecasting a much better outcome in the Hydrahose Benchmark 58 Handicap (1250m).

“He’ll be fitter for his run at Scone. Things didn’t quite go right there but he has won at Taree and he has won on a heavy track,’’ Minervini pointed out.

“Koby Jennings rides him again on Monday and I rate him very highly as a jockey so he will give Essoess every chance I’m sure.’’

Essoess, like his trainer, has very strong connections with South Australia.

His third dam, Stormy Dawn, won the 1993 SAJC Cinderella Stakes for Colin Hayes.