Trainer Tony Gollan toasts record-breaking victories … in Fiji

Being overseas by the pool has provided some magic racing moments for champion Queensland trainer Tony Gollan, who on Saturday surged past his own mark for the most city winners in a season.

Trainer Tony Gollan and wife Jane share a toast in Fiji after Brereton's victory at Doomben on Saturday.

Being overseas by the pool has provided some magic racing moments for champion Queensland trainer Tony Gollan.

The trainer was by the poolside in the Greek Island of Santorini in 2015 when he broke the legendary trainer Bruce McLachlan’s longstanding record for the most metropolitan winners in a season.

Fast forward nine years and Gollan was again poolside, this time on a family holiday in Fiji with wife Jane and his two children, when he surged past his own mark for the most city winners in a season.

Back in 2014/15, Gollan scored 79 city winners when he broke McLachlan’s mark.

This season, Gollan has now eclipsed his own mark of 140.5 city winners – which he set last season.

The record-breaking moment came when enigmatic former Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained galloper Brereton, having his first start for Gollan, won the Colts, Geldings and Entires BM78 Handicap.

Trainer @tonygollan breaks his own record for most Queensland metropolitan winners in a season! 🏆🏆🏆

Brereton wins first-up for the stable under @VDuric77 💥 pic.twitter.com/502vmkCtvN

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 13, 2024

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Under Caulfield Cup-winning jockey Vlad Duric, Brereton over-raced and did a few things wrong and backers were far from confident until the final stages that the gelding was going to get the chocolates.

“He had only won once before today, but had been racing in higher class races,” Gollan’s trusted lieutenant Craig Cavanough said.

“We took all the gear off the horse and when Vlad put the whip in his left hand, he found the line nicely.

“He is a lovely horse and will win more races.”

It wasn’t long before Gollan struck again with $1.40 favourite Invincible Shield making it three wins on the bounce for the stable.

Invincible Shield is on 🎯 again!

Favourite backers rejoice and @tonygollan's holiday fund gets another boost. That's a race-to-race double. pic.twitter.com/6yJFKqd9cM

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 13, 2024

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The promising three year-old I Am Invincible colt was trained by Leon and Troy Corstens in Melbourne at the start of his career and failed to place in three starts including the Group 2 Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley last September.

Owned by Sean Buckley’s Ultra Thoroughbreds, Invincible Shield has found a new lease on life since joining the Gollan stable.

Before his record-breaking day, Gollan gave an insight into the potential of the colt when he told Racenet: “Invincible Shield is the horse I’m most excited about going to the races.

“He is better than a restricted grade kind of horse, he is pretty exciting.

“He is the horse I have probably got my eye on the most.”

4yo mare Liquor with Angela Jones on board takes her impressive career record to 6 wins from 12 starts with a strong victory in today’s Fillies & Mares BM78 Hcp 1110m at Doomben. pic.twitter.com/dkh5Ojlsok

— Gollan Racing (@tonygollan) July 13, 2024

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Gollan’s third win of the day at Doomben came in controversial circumstances when a bungled start saw several runners declared non starters.

But after a lengthy delay where stewards inquired into the start, it was declared a race and Gollan galloper Liquor was the winner.

Originally published as Trainer Tony Gollan toasts record-breaking victories … in Fiji