3 minute read
Trainer Tony Gollan hopes he can win the Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic at Ipswich as a fitting farewell to some of his top mares.
Premier trainer Tony Gollan might need to hold a farewell party to go with any celebrations if one of his four mares can win win the Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic.
Gollan has accepted with Shalwa, Twitchy Frank, Solar Star and Amicitia in the 1350m race at Ipswich.
Shalwa, Twitchy Frank and Solar Star are listed to go under the hammer in the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
Gollan also has Hollaback Girl in a support race at Ipswich and she is another in the Magic Millions catalogue.
He said there were several others from his stables who had already left to be prepared for the auction.
"At this stage the four mares running on Saturday will be off to the sales next week," Gollan said.
"Combined with the others who have gone it has put a bit of a hole in the stable.
"Twitchy Frank has only been with us a relatively short time after she was a good performer in Tasmania and Victoria.
"She trialled well for us at Deagon and then she was a good fourth first-up in the Listed Spear Chief against all-comers.
"They wanted more black-type for her and this is her last chance on Saturday."
Gollan said Solar Star also deserved a chance at a stakes race.
"We had her in the Listed Bright Shadow two weeks but ran her in a benchmark race where she was a very good second," Gollan said.
"She is by Zoustar so any black-type will make her even more valuable at stud."
Gollan said Shalwa would have to overcome a wide barrier on Saturday.
"She is a black-type winner and has been very good since we took blinkers off her earlier this year," he said.
Gollan has 150-1/2 winners for the season and needs two more to beat Ben Currie's Queensland record of 152.
He has already set a metropolitan record for this season, becoming the first Brisbane trainer to pass 100 winners
"It has obviously been a good season and it would put the icing on it if we can get more black-type with one of these mares," he said.
