The four-year-old showed potential as a stayer last season - winning the Queensland Derby, 2400m, and in doing so edging out Tuesday's Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare.

While Vow And Declare is now Australia's premier stayer and already being set for another Melbourne Cup, Mr Quickie will spend his career over the shorter trips.

Mr Quickie's managing owner, Ballarat-based Wylie Dalziel, said the gelding's spring campaign had revealed that the 3200m trip of the Melbourne Cup was not his go.

Dalziel said although Mr Quickie was considered a good thing beaten in the Caulfield Cup - he missed the start before charging home for a mid-field finish - the feedback from his second in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup, 2500m, confirmed he was best suited up to 2000m.

Mr Quickie was beaten by Hunting Horn at the Valley and finished only a short margin in front of Downdraft - overseas gallopers which finished 15^th and 22^nd respectively in the Melbourne Cup.

Dalziel said Mr Quickie was having a well-earned break, which should have him top condition for the autumn, The All-Star Mile on Saturday, March 14.

He said the Australian-bred son of Shamus Award was having six weeks in the paddock - the longest spell he had had in his career.

Four weeks after the Queensland Derby in the winter is his previously longest stint away from racing.

Dalziel said he had ended his campaign 100 per cent fit and importantly not flattened after four runs - three in group 1 company, including an eye-catching first-up third in the Makybe Diva Stakes, 1600m.

He said The All-Star Mile looked the perfect target, with $2.25m for the winner.

The field is decided through a poll, with race fans invited to vote for the horses they want to line up.

Dalziel said with Mr Quickie's big ownership group including a Wylie Dalziel-Roy Higgins racing syndicate, former premier trainer and now media presenter Peter Moody, he was confident enough votes would be attracted to secure a run.

Originally with Darren Weir and now trained by Phillip Stokes at Pakenham, Mr Quickie has won nine of 17 starts for $1.09m in earnings.

Dalziel said there was a lot in more for the exciting galloper.