Trainer Tony Gollan is hopeful his decision not to run Casual Choice and Whiskey Allround in last week’s Weetwood Handicap will be vindicated when the pair clash with new stable acquisition Frespanol in the Ascot Handicap at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.
Gollan wanted to win his first Listed Weetwood Handicap in his former hometown at Toowoomba but didn’t allow his heart to overrule his head when the pair were scratched after drawing poorly.
Both sprinters have come up with awkward barriers again in the 1200-metre Listed Ascot Handicap but Gollan is hoping the bigger Caloundra track will be more forgiving for the pair.
“It didn’t really matter whether we went to the Weetwood or Ascot with them but unfortunately neither have drawn that well again,” Gollan said.
“The draw (barrier 9) has been a bit unkind to Casual Choice again but the bigger track should suit him and he’ll be ridden with cover and hopefully finish off.”
Casual Choice has struck a purple patch of form winning all three starts this campaign while Whiskey Allround (barrier 7), disappointed last start when he tailed off last behind his stablemate at Doomben on April 2.
“Whiskey Allround has been the victim of circumstances lately and we aim to ride him a lot more positively in this race,” Gollan said.
“He won a Stakes race only three starts back and he’s right in this race if he strikes his best form.”
Stable newcomer Frespanol is having his first start for Gollan since transferring from Gai Waterhouse in Sydney.
The five-year-old won six races for Waterhouse including last year’s Listed Spear Chief Quality at Doomben on May 30 and hasn’t raced since failing in the Group 2 Villiers Stakes at Randwick in December.
“This race is his starting point and he’s probably not going to trouble these over this distance,” Gollan said.
“He’ll be more effective once he gets out to 1400 and 1600 metres.”
Gollan believes Frespanol will improve sharply for his next assignment in the Listed Prime Minister’s Cup (1400m) at the Gold Coast on May 7.
“Frespanol will probably need this run and need some luck in running and I think the fitter horses have an advantage over him,” he said.
“His main aim will be some of the second-tier Listed and Group 3 races during the carnival.”
– Racing Queensland
