Statistics don’t always tell the tale. That’s the belief of Toowoomba trainer Tony Gollan ahead of his attempt to win the Listed Lough Neagh Stakes (1350m) at Doomben on Saturday with stablemates Listen Son or Spirit Of Boom.
Both sprinters are maidens at Doomben with last-start Listed Keith Noud Quality (1200m) winner Listen Son being placed only three times from eight appearances at the track.
Spirit Of Boom, who finished third to Adebisi in the George Moore Stakes (1200m) at Doomben on December 10, has a better track record with three placings from four starts.
“They may not have won there yet but Spirit Of Boom only got beaten a nose by Falino over this distance in the (Group Three) BTC Classic during the winter carnival,” Gollan said.
“His run that day was outstanding when he had a bit of bad luck.
“As for Listen Son, he only just went down to Woorim over this journey in the (Group Three) BRC Sprint in May and he was runner-up in this race last year behind Zero Rock.
“He had traffic problems in last year’s Lough Neagh and by the time he got clear Zero Rock had skipped clear of him.”
Gollan believes Listen Son is going better now than 12 months ago but is starting to get concerned with the Doomben statistic for the five-year-old.
“He’s had twice as many goes at Doomben than Spirit Of Boom and when it gets to the record he’s got now you start to worry whether there’s a Doomben hoodoo on him,” he said.
Gollan can’t fault the progress both sprinters have made since their last starts and is reluctant to separate them.
Listen Son was taken straight to the front by Scott Seamer in the Keith Noud Quality but Gollan won’t divulge whether similar tactics will be adopted for the Lough Neagh Stakes.
“He’s led in most of his races but I’d rather keep tactics close to my chest for the time being, but he doesn’t have to lead,” he said.
Both sprinters are likely to clash again in the Listed Goldmarket Handicap (1300m) at the Gold Coast on January 2 before the pair take separate paths.
“Listen Son will be nominated for the (Listed) Bernborough Handicap on Saturday week but I favour taking him straight to the Goldmarket,” Gollan said.
“Depending how Spirit Of Boom goes in the Lough Neagh, he could go to the Goldmarket and then the Magic Millions Guineas or there’s still the option he could go to New Zealand.”
The $1 million Magic Millions Guineas (1400m) will be run at the Gold Coast on January 14, a week before the Group One Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham.
“You’d have to think he’s more likely to stay at home but New Zealand is still an option,” Gollan said.
“A lot of pace up front will suit Spirit Of Boom and hopefully he’ll get that on Saturday.”
AAP TURF
