Spirit Of Boom will be on trial for a dual Group One mission in New Zealand when he kicks off his summer campaign in the Listed Keith Noud Quality at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Trainer Tony Gollan will decide after next month’s Group Three George Moore Stakes (1200m) at Doomben whether to send the four-year-old across the Tasman for the Railway Stakes and Telegraph Handicap.
“If he wins the George Moore or runs a big race he’ll more than likely go to New Zealand for those two Group Ones,” Gollan said.
The Group One Railway Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on January 1 is followed by the Group One Telegraph Handicap (1200m) at Trentham on January 21.
Gollan is in New Zealand with fellow Brisbane trainers Rob Heathcote and Brian Wakefield as part of a 30-strong promotional tour of Australian trainers for the Karaka yearling sales in January.
Gollan also has Listen Son in the Keith Noud Quality (1200m) but says he is a doubtful starter if the track is badly rain-affected.
“I’m a bit worried about the weather forecast with both my runners,” Gollan said.
“Listen Son doesn’t need to run and can wait until the George Moore but he definitely won’t start if the rain that has been forecast arrives.
“Spirit Of Boom is going good and can handle the wet and will start if the track gets to slow but not if it’s heavy.”
If Gollan doesn’t travel to New Zealand with Spirit Of Boom, the alternative is the Listed Lough Neagh Stakes on December 24, or he could freshen him up for a 1000-metre race on Magic Millions day at the Gold Coast on January 14.
“We were think of sending Temple Of Boom over to New Zealand after he performed so well in Melbourne during the spring but I’m told the tracks over here might be too hard for him at that time of the year,” Gollan said.
“We’re not locked into the Lough Neagh with Spirit Of Boom after he runs in the George Moore and I could freshen him and give him a barrier trial and aim for Magic Millions day if we decide not to go to New Zealand.”
Gollan blamed himself for Spirit Of Boom’s first-up fifth to fellow Queenslander Facile Tigre in the Listed MSS Security Sprint (1200m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day.
“Unfortunately I got a rush of blood and put the shades on him that day,” he said.
“The blinkers are coming off him for Saturday and I think (jockey) Ric McMahon will suit him.”
AAP TURF
