Dubai television journalist Dan Nolan is hoping for some good news from his brother, trainer Michael Nolan, when he reports on the performance of Toowoomba mare Scarlett Jo at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The Nolan brothers part-own Scarlett Jo who will be vying for a trip to Sydney when she contests Saturday’s Radford Business Services Plate (2200m).
Dan Nolan has been working for the Al Jazeera television network in Dubai for the past few years and recently found himself making the news instead of reporting on it during last month’s uprising in Egypt.
“Dan started working as a journo in Toowoomba before moving to Brisbane’s Channel 10 and then to Sydney before he headed to Dubai,” Michael Nolan said.
“He loves the job but he found himself in a bit of trouble during the recent rioting in Egypt.
“He had to spend the night in jail before being released.
“It was all a bit scary for a while but he’s back in Dubai working now.”
Scarlett Jo is yet to win in the metropolitan area but her trainer is confident she can break through against a strong field including Fantastic Blue who is prepared by Nolan’s father, Paul.
Scarlett Jo finished third to Fantastic Blue in a 2020-metre Class Six at Doomben last month before being runner-up to Racing Heart over 2200 metres at Eagle Farm at her last appearance on March 5.
“She deserves to win in town and if she does I’ll back her up in a 1900-metre race in Sydney next week,” Nolan said.
“That will probably finish her for this campaign and she’ll spell during the winter.”
Nolan is confident Scarlett Jo can turn the tables on both Fantastic Blue and Racing Heart.
“Dad’s horse is racing very well but I was happy with my mare’s run last start on a heavy track,” Michael Nolan said.
“It didn’t help her chances when it became a slog in the wet.”
Fantastic Blue failed to complete a hat-trick of wins last start when the four-year-old finished sixth to Royal Reign over 2100 metres at Doomben last week.
The Rob Heathcote-trained Racing Heart ended a string of five straight placings with a commanding 3-1/2-length victory over 2200 metres on a heavy Eagle Farm track on March 5.
AAP TURF