Tony Gollan has equalled the long-standing Brisbane metropolitan trainers’ premiership record, but not before a few anxious moments.
Most Important ($10) gave Gollan his 78th win of the season when he scored a nose victory over Monaco Playboy ($10) in the Access Insulation Hcp (1200m) at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.
The win drew Gollan level with the late Bruce McLachlan who set the record of 78 Brisbane winners in a season in 1987-88.
Most Important had his supporters worried before the race when he sweated up during the pre-race parade.
“He didn’t do that at his previous Queensland start. I suppose the answer is he is a two-year-old colt,” said stable foreman John Fleming, deputising for Gollan who is on a European holiday.
Most Important is owned by Linda Huddy who raced Australian Derby winner Shoot Out and has Victoria Derby winner Preferment.
“We paid about $260,000 for Most Important but he was a lovely yearling,” Huddy said.
Jockey Tim Bell, who will ride in a feature meeting in Singapore on Sunday, said Most Important was courageous in victory.
“He put his head down at just the right time and it was a game win,” Bell said.
Meanwhile, Pat Duff received a timely tonic when Unbowed ($8.50) took out the XXXX Gold Australian Pale Ale Hcp (1400m) a day after the trainer’s release from hospital.
Duff broke a hip in an accident at his home three weeks ago and underwent surgery to repair the damage.
Unbowed has won three of his past four starts, all at the Sunshine Coast.
Duff’s former apprentice Alannah Fancourt, who is now indentured to Gollan, continued her good recent run by guiding Unbowed to victory.
“I got my start with Pat and that is the second winner I have ridden in a month for him,” Fancourt said.
“I owe him a good deal for getting me started so I get a real thrill winning for him.”
