Brisbane’s premier trainer Tony Gollan started the week with a setback but hopes it ends better with chances in three Group One races at Eagle Farm.
His stable star, three-year-old Zoustyle, has gone to the spelling paddock after being found with a low-grade virus on Tuesday.
Zoystyle was expected to be Gollan’s best hope at Saturday’s meeting which is the premier day for Queensland racing.
Gollan till expects to be competitive in the three Group One races including with two-year-old Garibaldi in the J J Atkins Plate (1600m).
Garibaldi joins A Man To Match (Queensland Derby) and I’m A Rippa (Stradbroke Handicap) as Gollan’s Group One representatives.
After Garibaldi ran a strong third in the BRC Sires” Produce Stakes at 1400m, Gollan was tossing up whether to step the horse up to 1600m.
“Garibaldi led in the Sires’ and fought on well to be a close-up third,” Gollan said.
“But I don’t think that is his go. He should be able to get cover from barrier three and he does have a big finish when ridden that way.
“We have got Damien Oliver to ride and no-one is in better form.”
A Man To Match faces a task from a wide barrier in a big Derby field but Gollan has warned not to write him off.
“There has been a long range plan to get him to the Derby and he has been building up to the 2400 metres,” Gollan said.
“He is owned by the Huddy family who have won a Victoria Derby and a Australian Derby, so I would love to give them the treble.”
I’m A Rippa looked like being an emergency for the Stradbroke (1400m) but has made the field.
“The barrier of 17 is no help but he has won three stakes races in the past 12 months and is right down in the weights,” Gollan said.
“Also if the track plays to leaders again he will be up there.”
The trainer believes his best chance could be Outback Barbie in the Group Two Dane Ripper Stakes (1400m).
“I am sick of saying it but with a touch of luck she will be very hard to beat,” he said.
