The tubby Vega One who made his return back in April has transformed into a lean machine as trainer Tony Gollan tips him to peak in Saturday’s $1.5Million TAB Stradbroke at Eagle Farm.
Vega One’s first three runs back from a spell dating back to last year’s Stradbroke all resulted in him peaking on his run and just fading at the finish.
It was a different story in the Kingsford Smith Cup, when Jamie Kah was able to produce him late for an explosive finishing burst.
That run shot him to the top of Stradbroke charts and Gollan believes he will be even better this weekend.
“I didn’t make any secret of the fact we had a minor setback from the 10,000 in. Even looking at him on Kingsford Smith day he had improvement in him. I think he’s found it,” Gollan said.
“I think he’s at the top of his game now. It was always the plan to get to the Stradbroke as good as we could and I feel that’s where we got him.
“He was 10 months off the scene. He’s a big gross, boy, he’s big a heavy gelding.
“It took a little while to get him into shape. He’s in great shape now and he’s out to his right distances in the right races.”
Vega One firmed in Stradbroke betting after drawing barrier four on Tuesday night.
Gollan also has Outback Barbie as the first emergency in the Stradbroke.
His other runners on the day include one-time Stradbroke fancy Garibaldi, who reverts back to 1200m in the Hinkler Handicap.
“He goes back to his right distance at his right track. He’s a really sharp horse at 1200m and you will see a very good performance from him on Saturday,” Gollan said.
