Gollan puts another shrimp on Barbie
LEADING Brisbane jockey Jim Byrne will be reunited with one of his favourite horses Outback Barbie in the Tea Rose Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.
Byrne won the Listed Calaway Gal Stakes on Outback Barbie at Doomben last December and was aboard her when she copped the backwash of severe interference before finishing third in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic at the Gold Coast in January.
Since then Outback Barbie has had two campaigns in Sydney where she was ridden by Group 1-winning jockeys Corey Brown, João Moreira and James McDonald.
The Tony Gollan-trained filly will run in the Group 2 Tea Rose (1400m) and McDonald was again expected
to be aboard. After finding out McDonald was committed to a runner for trainer Chris Waller, Gollan decided to go with Byrne for Outback Barbie.
“Jim has a very high opinion of her. He has had two race rides on her for a win and an unlucky third,” Gollan said.
“But he has also ridden her in her trials and jumpouts so he knows her very well.
“Jim has been wanting to get back on her in a race and this is his chance.”
Among Outback Barbie’s rivals will be New Zealand filly Santa Catarina who has arrived in Sydney.
Santa Catarina is trained by Stephen Marsh for owner Lib Petagna who has enjoyed Group 1 success in Sydney with Lucia Valentina and Sofia Rosa.
The Savabeel three-yearold has two wins and two seconds from four starts.
Gollan’s other leading three-year-old, Ef Troop, will run in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes over the straight 1200m course at Flemington on Saturday with Damien Oliver to ride.
“You don’t need me to tell you how good a rider Damien is and his opinion of Ef Troop up the straight six will be interesting,” Gollan said.
Ef Troop trialled in Sydney last week, leading all the way to beat Group 1-winning mare and The Everest contender English.