Tony Gollan says Zarastro should be challenging Hidden Wealth for favouritism in Falvelon

Tony Gollan has almost half the field in the Falvelon, including the two favourites, which shapes as a crucial launching pad for his summer carnival team.

Tony Gollan says bookmakers have got the market order right for his monster team in Saturday’s Listed Falvelon at Eagle Farm but says his two favourites should be closer together as they prepare to go head-to-head.

The champion trainer will saddle up six of the 13 runners in the $200,000 feature and said Zarastro ($5.50) should be challenging Hidden Wealth ($2.30) for favouritism as most of his horses have their final hitout before heading off in different directions.

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After a number of issues early in his career, Hidden Wealth has emerged as one of Gollan’s most promising horses after taking out the Group 3 George Moore Stakes easily last start, while Zarastro has the runs on the board already.

“There is no doubt that Zarastro and Hidden Wealth headline the team, but there are a few there that will improve sharply into this race,” Gollan said.

“The market has the order right, but Zarastro should be a bit closer to Hidden Wealth if anything.”

With stablemates Cannonball, All That Pizzazz, Nettuno and King Kapa also in the race, Gollan said it wasn’t his intention to stack the race in order to just win on Saturday, rather it was a needed stepping stone to send his horses on their respective Magic Millions paths.

“They are all on different targets for the summer, it is not like I have stacked it to win the race,” he said.

Hidden Wealth is a clear favourite for the Falvelon at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Picture: Grant Peters/Trackside Photography

“It is important for a number of different reasons, a lot of them are going different ways after Saturday.

“My main thought with that many horses is simply that I hope I win.”

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Zarastro (nine) and Hidden Wealth (11) have both drawn outside barriers, along with comeback horse Rothfire (12), however Gollan doesn’t expect that to derail their chances on the improving Eagle Farm track.

“The outside barriers don’t hinder me, I think Zarastro possibly leads the race and has Hidden Wealth outside of him, so they should be able to get to where they want to be on the track,” he said.

“It’s up the to the riders to execute from there really, they have to give themselves every chance, so I don’t tell them to look after anyone in particular.

“If I’m worried about what they are going to do to the other horses, I have the wrong people on.

“Zarastro showed he didn’t have to lead, and still ran really well. So if something wants to punch up and lead, he will do a job.

“Hidden Wealth has sat off and won plenty of races.”

Originally published as Tony Gollan says Zarastro should be challenging Hidden Wealth for favouritism in Falvelon