Tony Gollan’s prosperous winter carnival shows no signs of abating with Ipswich Cup day on Saturday now in his sights.
Gollan will contest all three Listed races, the Gai Waterhouse Classic, Eye Liner Stakes and Ipswich Cup and is hoping to add to his Doomben 10,000 win with Spirit Of Boom and close second with Temple O Boom in the Stradbroke Handicap.
No trainer has won all three Ipswich features on the one day with Tony Pattillo the only jockey to complete the treble when successful aboard Nessuno (Eye Liner), Au Chocolat (Gai Waterhouse) and Forest Jim (Ipswich Cup) in 2005.
The barrier draw has been kind to Gollan with former Sydney sprinters Centrepet and Alma’s Fury drawing barriers one and four respectively in the Gai Waterhouse Classic (1350m) and Eye Liner Stakes (1350m) while Brave Ali drew seven in the Ipswich Cup (2150m).
Gollan has booked Jason Taylor to ride Centrepet, who was a four-times winner from 20 starts for previous trainer Gerald Ryan.
Centrepet won three starts back at Warwick Farm but ran a disappointing last at his most recent appearance at Randwick on May 24.
Alma’s Fury, who was formerly trained by Paul Murray, had his first start for Gollan finishing seventh, only two lengths behind Sacred Star in the Group 2 QTC Cup (1200m) at Eagle Farm on May 31.
Jim Byrne will be reunited with Alma’s Fury in the Eye Liner while apprentice Tegan Harrison maintains her association on Brave Ali in the Ipswich Cup.
Harrison has ridden Brave Ali in all four Brisbane starts for three wins and a last start third to Pretty Pins in the Group 3 Chairman’s Handicap (2000m) at Doomben on May 10.
Gollan’s only previous Ipswich Cup attempt was with Topping who finished fourth to Anagold last year.
“My only Ipswich Cup runner before this was Topping who finished fourth and was very unlucky after being trapped three wide,” Gollan said.
“Brave Ali is an on pace runner so he should be suited in the Ipswich Cup.
“He won the (Listed) Tails Handicap at the start of the winter but the aim all along with him was to target these longer races at the back end of the carnival then go on to the Grafton Cup next month.
“His last run in the Chairman’s was very good.”
Gollan believes the barrier is a plus for Alma’s Fury but is unsure how Centrepet will fare in her stable debut.
“Alma’s Fury has got a good draw which is a plus as he’s got a bit of weight with 59 kilos,” Gollan said.
“He’s trained on nicely since his last run and if things go to plan he’ll go on to the Glasshouse next start.
“Centrepet was bought by Raheen Stud at the Magic Millions broodmare sale and I don’t know that much about her yet.”
– Racing Queensland
