Gollan’s rain watch
Trainer hopes for better conditions in two-state assault
PREMIER trainer Tony Gollan is keeping a close watch on the weather in Sydney and Brisbane as he tries for at least a two-centre double on Saturday.
Gollan has a dozen acceptors at Doomben where at best the racing surface will be rain-affected.
He also has Ef Troop in the Listed Brian Crowley Stakes at Randwick where the track was rated heavy yesterday.
Ef Troop has again worked brilliantly and Gollan believes he just needs race-day luck to win another stakes race.
Gollan was in Sydney last Saturday to watch Ef Troop work at Randwick.
“It was terrific work, he just continues to do well in the south,” Gollan said.
“I don’t want to keep making excuses for him but surely he deserves some luck.
“Even a fair go would do because nothing much has gone right since his Magic Millions problems.
“But we don’t want a heavy track on Saturday for him.”
Ef Troop started favourite in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic on the Gold Coast in January and finished fourth after racing fiercely when fired-up early.
The colt was to run in the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes at Randwick two weeks ago but was scratched because of a heavy track.
Gollan has runners in most of the 10 races at Doomben but the most interesting is promising galloper Galtero who tackles the EJ Cast Iron Handicap (2000m).
A $180,000 purchase as a yearling, he has won his past three starts at midweek meetings.
“He is out of a Galileo mare and I have always thought he would make a nice stayer,” Gollan said.
“This is his first middledistance test and I just want a decent track for him.”