Tony Gollan recently joked about coming back from a three-day off-season, but it has been business as usual in no uncertain terms since the start of the new season which has already brought in thirteen winners over the first four metropolitan meetings of the season for the twelve-time Brisbane Metropolitan Trainer’s Premiership winner.
Six jockeys have contributed to those results.
After her outstanding contribution to the stable last season, Brisbane’s Apprentice Jockey Premiership winner Emily Lang leads that current charge with three winners, along with Ben Thompson who has been on fire in the form stakes since returning from Hong Kong.
Another stable staple, Angela Jones, who made history last season by becoming the first female to win the Brisbane Jockey’s Premiership, has brought home two of these Gollan trained winners, scoring both of her wins in the first meeting of the season before being sidelined by suspension.
Ryan Maloney, the 2020/21 Jockey’s Premiership winner also has two winners on the early season’s Gollan stable’s honour roll … as does Cejay Graham with Martin Harley completing the sweep with one winner.
That just shows the range of expertise in the saddle that Gollan can call upon as required.
The horses also played an obvious part in this early season success story. Give Giggles, Pereille, Use Your Illusion, Blazen Boots, Make a Call, Free Carry, Foreign Press, Amur, Gospel Girl, Exceed Speed, Ready For The Trip, Giliana and Zoufani … it is quite a list.
But, in essence, this is all about the Gollan stable set-up and its highly professional structure that works on so many levels.
While this still has to be fact checked, it would seem fair to assume that this is the best start to a season that Gollan has had … two winners … then three winners … then four winners … then another four winners!
That’s how the four meetings so far have unfolded.
It would be stating the obvious that Gollan’s thirteenth Brisbane Metropolitan Premiership season is already well under way but, while that outcome is a certainty, Gollan is someone who seldom rests on his laurels and is always looking to get better … and better … results.
‘Getting better’ could bring a huge target into focus this season.
On the national stage, last season Gollan finished fifth in the Australian Trainers’ Premiership with 194 winners … five-and-a-half winners more than he achieved in the 2023/24 season when he finished in fourth place on the national ladder.
A similar improvement over the next twelve months will put Gollan within touching distance of the 200-winner mark for the season.
Should he get there it will have been hard earned, but what a distinction it would be!
A difficult ask … yes, but the way the Gollan stable has grown in size and strength over recent seasons … and the way his runners have dominated recent weeks, few would bet against him achieving that lofty goal.
