Ef Troop a lot stronger

TRAINER Tony Gollan is yet to lock in a plan for Ef Troop, who resumes tomorrow at Doomben a stronger version of the one that was rated one of last season’s top two-year-olds.

Ef Troop easily won a Doomben trial late last month and has been marked a $1.80 favourite with Ladbrokes to resume a winner tomorrow.

Gollan knows Ef Troop needs to win to justify some lofty spring targets.

“There’s a lot of options for him but it’s very important to get through this run,” he said.

“You never want to go into a race cocky and he does have 60kg and a wide barrier, so it’s by no means going to be easy.

“But I do think he’s a special horse ... he’s stronger now but he’s not what you would describe as a big, heavy horse.”