‘I like it’: Brisbane’s top trainer Tony Gollan backs new format for King Of The Mountain slot race at Toowoomba

Brisbane’s premier trainer Tony Gollan has given his stamp of approval to the new format for the $750,000 King Of The Mountain slot race.

Trainer Tony Gollan is a big supporter of the new format for the King Of The Mountain slot race at Toowoomba. Picture: Scott Barbour / Racing Photos

Brisbane’s premier trainer Tony Gollan has given his stamp of approval to the new format for the upcoming $750,000 King Of The Mountain slot race which now welcomes horses from across the nation.

Gollan will have four runners – or a third of the field – in the 1200m sprinting contest at Toowoomba on Friday.

The King Of The Mountain was formerly staged in the new year when it was restricted to Queensland-bred and trained horses but it has been shifted to coincide with the Toowoomba Royal Agricultural Show holiday and opened up to horses from across Australia.

• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

Southern raiders It’sourtime and Boston Rocks form part of the 12-horse field this year, with the all-important barrier draw to be held on Tuesday.

“I like it,” Gollan said of the new format for the slot race, now entering its third edition on his former home track at Clifford Park.

“The race is finding its spot in the calendar, whether this is its forever home or they muck around with it again, I’m not sure.

“This was a late announcement but it’s found a home on this day and I quite like it for the town up there in Show Week.

“I like the changes to the race too. It opens it up to more horses and I think it’ll be quite a good betting race.”

The "Thriller from Chinchilla" takes out the King Of The Mountain! 👑⛰️

Rothfire does the punters proud. 💪 pic.twitter.com/D9AmqEGlXc

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 1, 2024

• Million-dollar Hong Kong offers roll in for Queensland star

In an open King Of The Mountain market with TAB, Boston Rocks, Chinny Boom and Cifrado are equal favourites at $5, with last year’s runner-up Steady Ready next at $6.

Gollan’s runners are King Kapa ($9), Comrade Rosa ($11), Millane ($15) and Rockribbed ($15).

“It’s a good even race,” he said.

“It’s devoid of a superstar but it’s got a couple of good local horses, some very competent Brisbane horses and a sprinkling of southern horses coming up.

“It depends how the draw goes but it looks like it’ll be a race with good speed in it.

“It looks a genuinely good 1200m race so I think you want a horse that will be strong at the end of it.

“I’m really happy with the team I’ve got in the race, I don’t have a knock on any of them.”

The slot race will serve as the ideal lead-up to the Queensland Racing Carnival’s feature sprint races, starting with the $300,000 Group 2 Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on May 3.

The card at Toowoomba on Friday will include the $125,000 Pat O’Shea Plate for two-year-olds, as well as the $100,000 King of the Mountain Consolation.

Originally published as ‘I like it’: Brisbane’s top trainer Tony Gollan backs new format for King Of The Mountain slot race at Toowoomba