Tony Gollan chases success in The Archer as a fitting tribute to Alan Acton
Queensland trainer Tony Gollan has been left devastated by the loss of Rockhampton cattle baron Alan Acton after he died in a helicopter crash earlier this week.
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A devastated Tony Gollan is out to win Rockhampton’s biggest race later this month to honour the late Alan Acton after he tragically died in a helicopter crash while mustering cattle on Monday.
Acton was a prominent owner in the Gollan stable but was also instrumental in establishing The Archer, a $775,000 slot race, run later this year at Rockhampton, where the premier trainer is hoping to have three runners.
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The former cattle baron, along with his wife Jennifer, are slot-holders in the race and had been hoping to have a horse from the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable run in their name.
While Gollan’s horses will run for other slot-holders, he is looking to honour Acton, who owned Outback Barbie among a number of other horses in Brisbane.
“He was a good cattle man, but he was such a racing man and was always so proud of his achievements with the Rocky Amateur Club when it came to The Archer,” Gollan said.
“It was great to see how successful it was the first year, it will be one the things he is remembered for, I know I can’t think of that race without thinking of him.
“They are such nice country people and Al absolutely loved his racing, his family is steeped in tradition and racing.
“Any conversation I’d have with him, we’d end up talking about The Archer.”
Gollan laughs when he remembers one of the most obscure Christmas presents the stable ever received courtesy of the Acton’s.
“There are so many good memories with Al, I will always remember when Outback Barbie was racing, (wife) Jennifer would always bring a Barbie doll to the races,” he said.
“So one Christmas they sent down a massive Barbie doll for her.
“I met him prior to him having horses with us – he has been an owner with us for over 10 years.
“He used to buy one a year, the best one has been Outback Barbie and we have a nice two-year-old in here now and a yearling coming through, his mares are at stud.
“He’d show up to the sales, he’d only come on one or two days and would only buy on that day — you’d never know what he’d buy.
“He would take a bit of advice here and there but he was his own man, he used to pride himself of picking his own one out.
“He always put his money up, he never wanted to go in them with partners, no matter how hard I tried, but like most country people he was good to train for because he was so matter of fact.”
While Gollan has Count Da Beans and Vega One locked in for The Archer, he said he is looking to have Hilal join them on April 30.
Originally published as Tony Gollan chases success in The Archer as a fitting tribute to Alan Acton
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