Cheap horse carries hopes of 30 owners
TOOWOOMBA’S Gollan family will happily extend its celebration into today and beyond if Vienna Royale can score a “boilover” win in this afternoon’s Magic Millions Two-Year-Old Classic (1200m).
Vienna Royale will line up for Eagle Farm trainer Tony Gollan in the $2 million Gold Coast feature where he’s been listed as a $51 chance in the early Tattsbet market.
The Falvelon colt scored impressively on debut at Doomben last October but two unplaced runs since have seen him fall out of favour with punters.
But while racegoers will likely go looking elsewhere trying to come up with today’s race winner, Vienna Royale won’t find himself short of supporters.
His list of owners totals “about 30” in number and includes Tony’s father Darryl and mother Paulette.
The Gollans yesterday celebrated Tony’s birthday but Darryl said the party would rise to another level if Vienna Royale could turn his form around for a timely win today.
“There is about 30 people all up in the horse, including a lot of first-time owners,” Darryl said.
“I know they had a big day when he won first-up at Doomben for us and it will be a huge celebration if he could do the same on Saturday.”
Vienna Royale was a $25,000 purchase at a 2013 Magic Millions QTIS Sale.
Darryl took an instant liking to him when he arrived at Bahram Training Centre.
“He was a reasonably cheap horse,” Darryl explained.
“I broke him in and had a big opinion of him.
“Then one day we had a lady come out to have a look at another horse but she took a shining to this bloke who finished up being shared amongst his group of owners.
He’ll be big odds, but he’s in the race and he owes us nothing.
– Darryl Gollan
“I really liked the horse so, when there were some shares still available in him, Paulette and I decided to take them.
“He paid for himself with his first win, so he’s a ‘freebie’ for us now.
“His run at Toowoomba last start wasn’t as bad as it first seemed when we watched the replay so we’ll go into Saturday with an open mind.
“He’ll be big odds, but he’s in the race and he owes us nothing.”
Warwick’s Nolan family will also have plenty to cheer about today if the Peter Moody-trained Weinholt ($11) salutes in the $820,000 Magic Millions Guineas (1200m).
The Stratum colt was bred at the family’s Raheen Stud and is raced by Basil Nolan, his wife Diane and their son Basil Jnr.