Bold Bastille has X-factor but trainer Tony Gollan has golden chance to go Boom in Carlyon Stakes

Champion Queensland trainer Tony Gollan says sharp sprinter Golden Boom doesn’t necessarily need to soar to a new level to be highly competitive against the Melbourne speedsters in the Carlyon Stakes at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Tony Gollan says three-year-old filly Bold Bastille is the X-factor of the Carlyon Stakes at Moonee Valley but feels his sharp Brisbane sprinter Golden Boom doesn’t necessarily have to soar to a new level to be hugely competitive.

Golden Boom has a great short course record and rarely runs poorly, having been dynamic in his five career wins which have all come in the Sunshine State.

The 1000m of the Listed Carlyon around the tight Valley track looks to be in his sweet spot and it is likely Blake Shinn will position Golden Boom just behind a hot speed from barrier two.

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Gollan said $2.80 favourite Bold Bastille, who starts her three-year-old season for Lindsay Park after having only been beaten once as a two-year-old, looked a classy filly.

But the champion Queensland trainer certainly isn’t running scared and believes Golden Boom ($8) has as much talent as any of the older Melbourne sprinters in the Carlyon.

“I don’t think he needs to find a new level to be competitive, necessarily,” Gollan said.

“It will depend on how good the three-year-old (Bold Bastille) is.

“That filly has only been beaten once and has some good form around horses its own age.

“It depends how well she comes back as a three-year-old.

“As far as the older sprinters in the race are concerned, Golden Boom’s sprint form tells you that he is as good as them.

“I don’t know if it’s the strongest race he has contested or not, to be fair.

“He’s run in some good races, some pretty strong three-year-old races during the carnival in Queensland.”

Golden Boom. Picture: Grant Peters – Trackside Photography.

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While Gollan will have some big Group 1 fish to fry with his best horse Antino in the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield seven days later, he sees no reason why Golden Boom can’t make a mark in the $175,000 sprint at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

He doesn’t expect Golden Boom will lead but says the five-year-old son of former Group 1 star Spirit Of Boom is a very nippy sprinter once he gets into stride.

“We get a run just in behind them I'd say,” Gollan said.

The Queenslander GOLDEN BOOM gets his first look at The Valley around The Valley for trainer @tonygollan#LoveTheValleypic.twitter.com/X330n8e6IS

— Moonee Valley Racing Club (@TheValley) August 19, 2024

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“My horse is fast once you get going on him.

“But some of these other horses are pretty quick straight away.

“My thinking with bringing him down to Melbourne is that it is a long time until the (Queensland) summer carnival and he is a horse who has a pretty specific distance range.

“I also want to get him back to Gold Coast Magic Millions day, so he will probably have one run in Melbourne and then be ready to go at the end of November.

“It’s better than him just sitting in a paddock for extra time.”

Trainer Tony Gollan. Picture Lachie Millard

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Meanwhile, Gollan’s American import Bubble Rock has been retired to stud after the mare had two runs for him during the recent Queensland winter carnival.

Bubble Rock finished third in the Group 1 Tatt’s Tiara and it was originally intended she would race in Saturday’s Group 1 Winx Stakes at Randwick.

But she pulled up with some issues after trialling behind Storm Boy at Randwick earlier this week.

Storm Boy (Adam Hyeronimus) leads all the way to win a Kensington trial on Monday, running 51.00. The @GaiWaterhouse1 & Adrian Bott colt beat Caballus with Cafe Millenium in third. Bubble Rock and Fawkner Park were behind the placings. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/w9JkhtIORc

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) August 18, 2024

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“It was always 50/50 whether we were going to race or retire,” Gollan said.

“The owners wanted to go to the Winx Stakes, but there is no room to hide in the spring.

“I didn’t love the way she trialled, she pulled up with some mucus which would have needed some extra time.

“She is a Group 2 winner in America, so the decision was made she would go to stud.”

Originally published as Bold Bastille has X-factor but trainer Tony Gollan has golden chance to go Boom in Carlyon Stakes