The racing future of veteran Brave Ali goes on the line when he races at Doomben.
The rising 10-year-old runs in Saturday’s Open Handicap (2200m) with trainer Tony Gollan saying he may not be ready to retire just yet.
But Gollan admits Brave Ali has to improve on his last-start 12th in the Listed Grafton Cup at his most recent start on July 14.
“I was happy with his previous form. His fifth in the Tatt’s Cup was a nice run and his runs at his two previous starts at unsuitable distances were handy,” Gollan said.
“He needs a softish track and hopefully it won’t be too hard for him on Saturday. It does look a nice race for him and it is a typical end of season staying race in Brisbane.”
Brave Ali, who won the 2014 Ipswich Cup, will be having his 50th start on Saturday and is aiming for his 13th win.
“He has won $415,000 so he owes no-one anything,” Gollan said.
“He missed a virtual whole season of racing through injury. So if stays sound and can perform we might let him race on.”
Gollan also had Annaman in the race on Saturday but will save him for next week.
The trainer will win his third successive Brisbane premiership and has set a new high for the number of winners with 86-1/2 leading into the final meeting of the season.
He had his first winner on the new Eagle Farm track with Hi I’m Back on Wednesday. .
“It was the fifth meeting back at Eagle Farm so the win was overdue and thankfully I was training a few winners at other tracks,” Gollan said.
He has a relatively light team on Saturday but the return of smart two-year-old Red Handle to city racing creates plenty of interest.
“Red Handle has always shown ability and after a good spell won a trial and then won at Ipswich. I have good hopes for him,” Gollan said.
