Gollan on the rise again
FIVE-TIME champion Brisbane trainer Tony Gollan began the climb back up the premiership ladder with a double headlined by exciting Hollaback Girl at Doomben.
By his standard, Gollan has had a slow start to the season and was in fifth place on six winners going into yesterday’s meeting.
But he bounced back with the wins of Hollaback Girl ($2.60) and Just Orm ($3).
“We haven’t had a lot of horses racing ... but things should pick up from here,” Gollan said.
His patience with wellbred Hollaback Girl paid off when she strolled home to win a maiden (1050m) in class-record time.
The filly was picked out at the Magic Millions sales by noted breeding expert Brad Spicer who put together a syndicate to race her.
Hollaback Girl was well beaten at her first start in April but Gollan said there were excuses.
“It was her first start on a wet track against experienced young horses,” Gollan said.
“We decided to be patient with her and it is paying off. Her trials were good leading into this and she is a Saturday class horse for sure.”
Just Orm appreciated the step back to mid week class and led all the way in Benchmark 75 race over 1110m.
“I made the mistake of running him in open company first up. He is a Saturday horse but at not further than 1110m,” Gollan said.
GOLLAN’S talented threeyear-old Ef Troop is back in Sydney and has been given a clean bill of health vets after his defeat at Flemington on Saturday. Ef Troop finished with the tailenders in the Danehill Stakes after being ridden back in the field.