Proud Queenslander Tony Gollan to fly flag with gusto in Super Six Trainer’s Challenge

TONY Gollan knows he probably won’t take out the overall UBET Super Six Trainer’s Challenge, but he’s hoping Tiyatrolani can help land him one of the weekly bonuses.

Trainer Tony Gollan (right) introduces Queensland Maroons coach Kevin Walters to one of his stable stars, Tiyatrolani. Picture: Noel Pascoe

TONY Gollan is realistic enough to know he doesn’t have the firepower to take out the overall UBET Super Six Trainer’s Challenge, but he’s hoping gun filly Tiyatrolani can help land him one of the weekly bonuses.

The Super Six challenge kicks off on Saturday, with trainers accruing points across the six Group 1 days of the carnival, culminating in the Tatts Tiara meeting, where points will be doubled.

A major prize of a new BMW or a trip to the Kentucky Derby for seven people awaits the winning trainer.

Points will be allocated on every black type race across the six days.

Queensland Maroons coach Kevin Walters knows a thing or two about “Super Sixes” having been a champion five-eighth in his day and playing against some of the best No. 6s ever to play Rugby League.

Walters was happy to offer Gollan some encouragement when he met Tiyatrolani at her stable last week.

“Queensland are renowned for being underdogs and bucking the odds, so I’m backing Tony to have a good carnival and come up trumps,” Walters said.

Gollan feels this Saturday may be his best chance to secure one of the weekly $10,000 QTIS vouchers for leading trainer on the day.

He said Tiyatrolani, who runs in the Group 2 Champagne Classic on Saturday, had done everything right since leaving a good field standing at Doomben last time out.

“She’s just a natural. She begins so quickly but then knows how to switch off and relax, which is a great asset for a young horse to have,” Gollan said. “She will give them something to chase again this week I’m sure.”

Gollan also has the consistent Heart Of A Warrior running in the Listed Members’ Handicap.

UBET released a Super Six market opn Sunday, with Sydney’s Chris Waller the $2.20 favourite to take out the overall prize. Peter and Paul Snowden are considered the biggest dangers at $2.50.

UBET have rated Queensland $9 chances to provide the winning trainer of the series, with NSW a prohibitive $1.10 to be the base of the overall winner.

GYMPIE JOINS PARTY

THE winter carnival isn’t the only place trainers can secure a bonus this year, with the Gympie Turf Club offering a $5000 trainer’s bonus to lure horses for its Cup meeting on October 2.

The trainer of the horse that accrues the most points in the R.S.L. Club Cup (June 25), Nolan Muster Cup (August 20) and Gympie Cup (October 2) will win the $5000 bonus, providing it runs in two of the races, one of which is the Gympie Cup.

Originally published as Proud Queenslander Tony Gollan to fly flag with gusto in Super Six Trainer’s Challenge