Tony Gollan will use historical weather patterns as a guide to autumn carnival targets for Spirit Of Boom and Temple Of Boom.
Spirit Of Boom will be aimed at sprints in Melbourne because it is traditionally dry and warm during the autumn and the stallion prefers to race on firm surfaces.
In contrast, his stablemate and half-brother Temple Of Boom prefers rain-affected tracks so Gollan will race him in Sydney where he will defend his title in the Group One Galaxy.
Spirit Of Boom will be aimed at sprints in Melbourne
Spirit Of Boom will have his first serious test this campaign in a Doomben barrier trial on February 12 before resuming in the Group One Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 23.
Gollan is pleased with Spirit Of Boom’s progress since his Perth campaign where he finished a close third to boom sprinter Barakey in the Group One Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot on November 24.
“He’s coming off a long campaign and a short spell but with the residual fitness he had from last prep he’s come up quite quickly again and I’m very pleased with him,” Gollan said.
“He’s put on condition in all the right places and at this stage we’re heading towards the Oakleigh Plate.”
After the Oakleigh Plate Spirit Of Boom will contest the Group One Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on March 9 with the Group One William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on March 22 a possibility if Gollan decides to extend his Melbourne campaign.
Gollan plans to start Temple Of Boom in the Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Warwick Farm on March 16 before The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill on March 30.
The weather will also determine if Temple Of Boom competes in Brisbane during the winter carnival.
“He’s a Group One wet tracker, but Listed or Group Three level on top of the ground, so we need to find some soft tracks for him,” Gollan said.
“If it looks like being a dry winter he’ll probably have another break then head down for the very early spring in Melbourne because the tracks are so suitable at that time of year with the sting out of them.”
Whiskey Allround, who is unbeaten in three starts, will trial on the same day as Spirit Of Boom before Gollan decides if he embarks on a Sydney campaign.
