Baller will chase another winter carnival target after maintaining his unbeaten record since joining Tony Gollan’s team.
Tony Gollan appears to have unlocked the key to talented sprinter Baller, who remains undefeated in two starts for the stable after racing away with the Group 2 Moreton Cup at Eagle Farm.
The five-year-old added Saturday’s feature to his victory in the Gold Coast Goldmarket last month and Gollan said the horse had appreciated having his runs spaced.
While next weekend’s Stradbroke Handicap is not on his radar, he is likely to have another winter carnival run in the Healy Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on June 26.
“He’s a best horse kept fresh at this sort of distance, 1200, so I will just space his runs,” Gollan said.
“The way he’s gone at Eagle Farm here today I’d suggest the Healy Stakes here on Tatt’s Day would be perfect.”
Splintex was sent out a $2.70 favourite and made the running but he went from travelling kindly to a spent force in a matter of bounds, weakening to finish second last and more than 11 lengths from the winner.
In the meantime, Glen Boss pinched ground close to the rails on Baller ($13) and he speared through from back in the field to surge to a 2-1/4 length victory over Zaniah ($26) with Wisdom Of Water ($11) third.
Boss partnered Baller earlier in his career and said the horse was always a talent but had needed time to mature, then had feet issues during his brief stint with Chris Waller.
He also felt Baller appreciated the firm surface at Eagle Farm despite getting away with a soft-track win at the Gold Coast.
“Now he’s getting back to the ability he showed as a young horse because he is enjoying himself and obviously after a gallop, he is pulling up well. He’s pain-free so he’s enjoying himself now,” Boss said.
“He’s not a really good soft tracker and he won well the other day but that was just his ability. He had a huge blow and second up he was always going to prove a fitter horse and on top of the ground (suited).”
