Matt Dunn gelding Boom Torque recharges batteries for Queensland winter carnival assault

Boom Torque is set to show the benefits of having a decent spell when he begins his winter carnival campaign at the Gold Coast on Saturday.

Murwillumbah trainer Matt Dunn believes his gun gelding Boom Torque is primed for a Queensland winter carnival assault after finally getting a decent break.

Boom Torque will go first-up into the $160,000 Listed Australian Turf Club Trophy (1200m) on the Gold Coast on Saturday as the $4.20 favourite after a four-month spell.

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His last appearance at the racetrack was an impressive third in the $1.5m Magic Millions QTIS (1300m) behind star sprinters Hidden Wealth and Cifrado on the Gold Coast on January 17.

“He’s improved a bit physically and he’s a bit stronger again,” Dunn said.

“I think he’s in for a very good prep because it’s the first time he’s had a proper spell for a really long time.

“We short spelled him, short spelled him and then got him ready for the Magic Millions (in January).

“He hasn’t had a proper break like he did this time so I think that’s really going to help him.”

Champion jockey Blake Shinn will ride five-year-old Boom Torque on Saturday against the likes of the Peter Snowden-trained Need Some Luck ($4.60) and last-start Group 2 Sapphire Stakes winner Infancy ($5.50).

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Dunn holds Stradbroke Handicap ambitions for Boom Torque, who was initially purchased for $50,000 before the Murwillumbah horseman took over his training in mid 2023.

“Obviously to get up to that level, he needs to be racing better this time in than he ever has before but I think he can improve again,” said Dunn, who paid tribute to the gelding’s owner Ian Corazzol for his massive support.

“At this stage that’s the goal and if we need to deviate from that, we still can. There are plenty of options for him but the Stradbroke is the No.1 goal.”

Boom Torque wins the QTIS Open for trainer Matt Dunn and jockey Michael Dee. Pic: Grant Peters, Trackside Photography

Dunn had immediate success with Boom Torque after taking over his training from Kacy Blaxland, winning five of his first six races in charge, including last year’s Magic Millions QTIS when the gelding defeated Better Get Set and Chinny Boom.

“I was lucky because he came to me when Kacy retired from training. He was still a maiden and he won his first four races for me,” Dunn said.

“He kept growing in confidence every time we went to the races. Every time he stepped up to another level he’d beat them better than what he did in the previous level.

“When he won on Magic Millions Day (2024) that win was the pinnacle of his career and he was incredible that day.

“He got to the wrong part of the track, spotted the leaders 10 lengths on the straight and still ran past them to beat them all.”

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Dunn admitted he was concerned about the likelihood of a soft track, with up to 10mm of rain predicted on the Gold Coast on Friday and another 10mm on Saturday.

“He doesn’t like soft ground but he’ll make his presence felt,” the trainer said.

“He’s not completely cranked up. I’ve left a little bit in him so what he does he’ll get better off.

“But 1200m first-up, he always raced very well fresh. He generally takes one race to get to his best but he’s had the benefit of a trial so he’s good enough.”

Originally published as Matt Dunn gelding Boom Torque recharges batteries for Queensland winter carnival assault