While most seven-year-old mares are in the breeding barn, Zoomania is about to begin another spring campaign.
The former Victorian will have her second start for premier Brisbane trainer Tony Gollan in the Mount Franklin Hcp (1350m) at Doomben on Saturday as a stepping stone to earning some belated black type.
By champion sire Zabeel out of dual Group Three winner Galapagos Girl, Zoomania was originally trained by Peter Moody to win four races.
She was sent to Gollan for a winter tilt at black-type races but had just one run, finishing unplaced at Doomben in May.
“I am glad the owners decided to leave her with me. She had no luck in the Doomben run and was caught deep the whole way,” Gollan said.
“On the Monday after that run she had a temperature and we decided not to press on with her campaign.
“Instead, we gave her a break and got her ready for a fresh campaign.”
Zoomania has pleased Gollan in recent weeks and finished third in an Eagle Farm trial earlier this month.
“I expect her to run well but she will obviously be better when she gets out to 2000 metres or further,” Gollan said.
Gollan said the Cressfield Syndicate which owns Zoomania was keen to boost her stud value with some black type.
“Once we get over Saturday and step her up in distance I think we can look Australia-wide for suitable 2000-metre races,” he said.
“A late Melbourne spring campaign would not be out of the question.”
Another promising mare, Sea Red, is expected to show her true form when she tackles the Mount Franklin Sparkling Handicap (1600m).
The Rob Heathcote-trained Sea Red showed potential early in her career but was disappointing during the winter carnival.
“She had a bit of a bug last time but she blew them away first-up at Caloundra,” Heathcote said.
“Bridget Grylls will claim three kilograms on her and all she needs is clear running.”
