With State Of Origin fever gathering momentum, trainer Tony Gollan is hoping to strike an early blow for Queensland with the “Boom Brothers” in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 on Saturday.
While the Maroons will be chasing nine straight wins in the State Of Origin at Suncorp Stadium next week, Gollan, an avid rugby league follower, is confident Queensland can turn the tables on the interstate visitors in the 1350-metre weight-for-age feature.
Queensland hasn’t won the Doomben 10,000 since Falvelon won the race for a second time in 2002.
Since then, the Doomben 10,000 has been won six times by NSW trained horses and four from Victoria.
NSW winners were Red Oog (2005), Takeover Target (2007), Hot Danish (2010), Beaded (2011), Sea Siren (2012) and Epaulette (2013).
Victorian trained winners were Bel Esprit (2003), Super Elegant (2004) and Apache Cat (2008-09) while the Darwin trained Undue was successful in 2006.
Gollan believes luck in running will be crucial in the Doomben 10,000 and is confident both Spirit Of Boom and Temple Of Boom will play starring roles.
Spirit Of Boom is coming off a last start second to Famous Shamus in the Group 1 BTC Cup at Doomben while his older half brother Temple Of Boom finished a close fourth in the same race.
The mind games have already begun in the Doomben 10,000 with Gollan declaring he wants Spirit Of Boom to race more forward than usual.
From barrier two, Gollan expects Spirit Of Boom to be in the first half of the field soon after jumping.
“He’s been jumping great lately so I don’t think he’ll need to be bustled early,” Gollan said.
“Some of his best runs this journey has been when he’s been able to get a smother and runs home.
“In his last couple of runs we’ve been a bit negative in small fields but he’ll race a lot close this time and could even be on the back of his brother, Temple Of Boom.
“His form over the past 12 months has been fantastic. He’s drawn well and with a touch of luck he should be right in the finish.”
Gollan isn’t overlooking Temple Of Boom and expects an improved performance over the longer journey.
In latest markets for the Doomben 10,000, Spirit Of Boom is third favourite at $4.80 behind $3.80 favourite Buffering and Rebel Dane at $4.60.
Temple Of Boom is a $15.00 chance.
– Racing Queensland
