Tony Gollan’s potential triple Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap treat at Eagle Farm

Tony Gollan had three runners in the 2012 Stradbroke Handicap and there is a chance he could have a trio of runners in the 2024 event.

The Stradbroke Handicap has been thirst that Tony Gollan can’t quench, but he is set to launch a stunning bid to turn back time and get three runners in the prestigious race.

Gollan had three Stradbroke contenders once before – when brothers Spirit Of Boom and Temple Of Boom and stablemate Listen Son contested the 2012 Stradbroke, which was won by Peter Moody roughie Mid Summer Music.

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Gollan already has 2024 Stradbroke favourite Antino as a confirmed runner for the $3m race on Saturday week, and it is increasingly likely Freedom Rally will join him after soaring up the ballot order following his fourth placed finish in the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup.

Tony Gollan and Antino’s jockey Vlad Duric. Picture: Grant Peters – Trackside Photography.

It opens the door for connections to do a deal with Australian Bloodstock for their slot in the race, which they earned by winning The Gateway in the Brisbane summer.

On Saturday at Eagle Farm, Gollan is keen to qualify a third runner for the Stradbroke by winning the golden ticket race of the Group 2 Moreton Cup where Gollan has three runners.

In two of the past three years, Gollan has won the Moreton Cup with grand performer Baller.

On both occasions, the champion trainer has elected not to use the ballot exemption to race Baller in the Stradbroke seven days later.

But Gollan indicated that if any of his trio of All That Pizzazz, Zarastro or Nettuno won the Moreton on Saturday, he would almost certainly cash in the golden ticket and add the winner to his Stradbroke arsenal.

“My three in the Moreton have all been set for this race, with the view of giving good thought to backing up in the Stradbroke a week later if any of them were to win,” Gollan said.

“I’m as confident as I can be in the situation we are in of getting Freedom Rally into the Stradbroke. By him finishing fourth in the Kingsford Smith Cup we have got into the top 40 in ballot order for the Stradbroke.

“It gives us a hope of either sneaking into the field or doing a negotiation on the slot with Australian Bloodstock.

“I am happy to get any of my horses into the Stradbroke and, if they are there, we believe they will be a chance. It has been a 12-month plan to get Antino into the Stradbroke and I am really pleased with where he is at.”

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Gollan has won six career Group 1s – including two on home soil in Brisbane – but has never won a Stradbroke.

In all-in betting on Saturday’s Moreton Cup, All That Pizzazz and Zarastro are priced at $11 and Nettuno is a $26 chance.

Zarastro. Picture: Grant Peters – Trackside Photography.

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Gollan says a week of fine weather in Brisbane is a godsend for Zarastro who is crying out for a good track.

“All three of these horses profile similarly for the Moreton Cup and All That Pizzazz handles any type of ground,” Gollan said.

“I am looking forward to seeing Zarastro and Nettuno back on good ground.

“You’ve got to remember Zarastro hasn’t struck good track this campaign and he is a real ‘good track’ horse.

“Nettuno’s best is good enough to win this, but he does have a big gap between his best and worst. We have won the Moreton Cup before, but never with the right sort of horse to back up seven days later.

“I would give consideration to backing any of these horses up in the Straddy, should they win on Saturday.”

Originally published as Tony Gollan’s potential triple Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap treat at Eagle Farm