GOLLAN TEACHES OLD STAGER A NEW TRICK
They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but Tony Gollan is attempting it with evergreen sprint warrior Zoustyle in the twilight of a grand racing career.
Eight-year-old Zoustyle has been known as a zippy short course weapon and has won 10 from 27 races in a career which has taken him to Melbourne for Group 1 races like the Oakleigh Plate and the Moir Stakes.
He has never stretched out beyond 1200m. All that will change on Saturday when Gollan unleashes Zoustyle in The Buffering at Doomben over 1350m.
But Gollan has few qualms about tackling the 1350m with Zoustyle, especially as it is at his field of dreams at Doomben where he has been virtually unbeatable, winning seven of eight times.
“The Falvelon (last Saturday at Eagle Farm) would have been the logical option but his record at Eagle Farm has been poor, whereas his record at Doomben speaks for itself,” Gollan said.
“I’m more than happy to have a go at 1350 (metres).
“Looking at the horse and watching his action tells you he will get the distance, he has got a big stride on him.
“As a younger horse he used to go a little bit fiercely, but he is relaxing much better as an older horse. He will give himself every chance.
“Will he get the 1350m or not? I don’t know the answer to that, you never do for sure until you run them over it.
“But he is giving me every indication he is relaxing well enough to do that.”
Zoustyle showed he was a summer force to be reckoned with when beating Group 1 winner Rothfire in the Group 3 George Moore Stakes at Doomben earlier this month.
It showed Gollan there is still plenty of spring in Zoustyle’s step and the sprinter is the $3.80 favourite for The Buffering.
“I thought he was good through the line the other day against Rothfire,” Gollan said.
“He’s relaxing beautifully in the run and he gets to race at his favourite track and at set weights and penalties.”
Meanwhile, Gollan has another fancied runner in The Buffering with Freedom Rally ($4.60) on the back-up after winning impressively at Eagle Farm last Saturday.
The Buffering offers the winner a wildcard to a race on the rich Gold Coast Magic Millions card next month.