Quigley hopes to break long run of outs at Mackay

By Glenn Davis

Former Victorian Shaun Quigley has no regrets after scratching an itch three years ago to get back into training after a decade-long break.

Formerly based at Cranbourne, Quigley trained with some success in the south winning two Listed races with Tonicity in the Centaurea Trophy at Morphettville and the Cockram Stakes at Caulfield in 1997.

The 69-year-old felt he needed a break from the racing caper and quit training in 2012.

He kept his hand in the game working for Victorian trainers Robbie Laing and Pat Hyland before making the move to Mackay in North Queensland.

“Training was getting the better of me mentally, so I gave it away, but I continued to work for Robbie Laing and Pat Hyland,” Quigley said.

“The itch never goes away. 

"A lot of blokes do it and come back again.”

While Quigley has never trained a Group 1-winner, he had three-time winner Karla Keys compete in the 2001 Victorian Oaks at Flemington but she could only manage fourth to Magical Miss.

Quigley took a long break from training before deciding to try his luck again and joined the North Queensland training ranks basing himself at Mackay.

He only has two horses in work and has no plans to extend his numbers.

“I bought two horses, He’s The One and Only One Look, at the Capricornia sales and they’re both running at Mackay this week,” Quigley said.

He’s The One will be ridden by Gold Coast jockey Jason Taylor in the Class 2 Handicap over 1050 metres while Tahlia Fenlon partners Only One Look in the Maiden Handicap over 1300 metres.

Quigley hasn’t trained a winner since He’s The One broke through for his maiden win at Mackay in November of 2023.

He’s The One is having his first start in 18 months.

The gelding finished ninth in a 1560 metre Benchmark race at Mackay in March of last year.

“We went travelling overseas last year so I had to tip him out for a long break,” Quigley said.

“He hasn’t had a barrier trial, but he always runs well.”

Quigley also gives Only One Look a good chance of breaking her maiden status following her close up sixth to the John Manzelmann-trained Torera in a 1300 metre Maiden Handicap at Mackay on August 12.

“It was a good run and she’s improved since so I’m expecting her to be hard to beat,” he said.