Masterpiece (Arg) sired his first feature winner when Quest Master captured the $50,000 Veolia 3YO Cup (1200m) in Launceston on Wednesday.

Quest Master (3g Masterpiece – Molopo by Quest For Fame) looked beaten in the straight before kicking back to score a courageous victory over Havana Stash (Benicio).

The Adam Trinder trained gelding has only been beaten once in four starts and maintained his perfect first-up record in the 3YO Cup.  “He’s a very unassuming type around the stable,” Trinder said.  “He’s not a flash worker but saves it all for race day.”

Quest Master was born and raised at Armidale Stud and is raced by Paul Costello and Andrew Cowley.  He and Armidale graduate Havana Stash will likely clash again in the Tasmanian Guineas (1600m) on New Year’s Eve.

His dam Molopo won two sprints at Elwick for Costello and Cowley.  Second dam Victorix (Night Shift) is a half-sister to international stakes winners Royal Delight (Hong Kong) and Conquered Dream (South Africa).

Victorian breeder Dennis Stogryn imported Masterpiece to Australia following a race career that included a Group 1 victory in Buenos Aires and a Listed win at Del Mar.  He is now located at Avenel-based Crown Valley Lodge after stints at Innisfree Thoroughbreds and Chatswood Stud.

Masterpiece (Southern Halo) stands alongside Helene Mascot (Peintre Celebre) at Crown Valley Lodge for a $5,500 (inc gst) service fee.

– Karl Patterson