Tony’s colt in groove
QUEENSLAND sprint weapon Nettuno had his unbeaten streak snapped last start in Sydney, but he lost no admirers and has since “found his groove” ahead of Saturday’s Group 2 Run To The Rose.
Three-year-old Tony Gollan colt Nettuno ventured south of the border after winning his first three career starts in the Sunshine State.
Well fancied in the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes, Nettuno finished runner-up behind surprise winner Sweet Ride who conjured a blowout result at $31.
Gollan said Nettuno, a $500,000 colt, had a learning experience in the San Domenico when he settled better than before. The top Queensland trainer believes his colt will be a sharp improver in the Run To The Rose at Rosehill on Saturday.
“I was as happy with getting beaten as you could be in his first run in Sydney,” Gollan said.
“It was the first time he had to go through and in between horses.
“He just blew out that last little bit, but he has certainly come on fitness wise since. He had a fair bit of improvement and upside in him after the other day and he has settled right into his Sydney surrounds now.
“He really seems to have found his groove down there.
“And I think now having had the experience of a Sydney run under his belt, you will see a fair bit better colt again this weekend.”
Gollan feels the 1200m of the Run To The Rose is likely to be more in Nettuno’s sweet spot than the 1100m of his Sydney debut.
Nettuno came to Sydney with a big reputation, with Gollan declaring the colt had as much raw ability as any young horse he had ever saddled up.
He can handle all track conditions, having won a Group 3 race in Queensland on a heavy track.
“The distance suits me on Saturday and I’d probably prefer a drier rather than wetter track, but I don’t think it matters too much,” Gollan said.
“This will be a good test for him as there is nowhere to hide in these Sydney races at this time of year.”
Gollan would love to get the colt to the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington but the Group 1 Golden Rose could come into the frame in the meantime.
Nettuno will again be ridden by Hugh Bowman and his prospects were enhanced when drawing barrier 1 for Saturday’s $250,000 sprint.