Tony Gollan embarks on two-state campaign with a pinch of confidence

TONY Gollan won’t be within 900km of Eagle Farm on Saturday but Brisbane’s top trainer thinks Most Important can burst back to winning form.

TONY Gollan won’t be within 900km of Eagle Farm on Saturday but Brisbane’s top trainer thinks Most Important can burst back to winning form after a string of genuine excuses.

Gollan will be at Randwick where he is hoping resuming sprinter Zelady’s Night Out can kickstart his Sydney satellite stable with a feature win in the Silver Shadow Stakes.

Zelady’s Night out is $19 in a hot field of three-year-old’s but Gollan says the filly would be much shorter in betting markets if not for a flop in her only Sydney run in March.

While Gollan will be trackside to cheer on Zelady’s Night Out, he will be keeping an eagle eye on the television to watch his seven runners at Eagle Farm.

He has nominated Most Important ($3 in race five), Skylimit ($7.50 in race seven) and his duo in race three (Sentimental Prince at $4.80 and Annaman at $6) as his best Brisbane chances.

Most Important is owned by Linda Huddy, who raced Australian Derby winner Shoot Out and has Victoria Derby winner Preferment.

The gelding has often been a source of frustration for the punters who have backed him, not winning in more than a year.

Brisbane trainer Tony Gollan will be at Randwick to cheer on Zelady’s Night Out. Picture: Jono Searle

But Gollan points out Most Important has always been around the mark and has had plenty of legitimate excuses.

“While he hasn’t won in quite a while, he certainly hasn’t run poorly either,” Gollan says.

“I really think he is ready to win at Eagle Farm on Saturday and I think this race really suits him.

“If you look back through his recent form, he can certainly be excused for his run on a heavy track at Eagle Farm. And then he ran well in a blanket finish last time he was at the races.”

Gollan, who has finalised negotiations with the Australian Turf Club and will soon have 20 boxes at Rosehill, says dual stakes-winning filly Zelady’s Night Out has matured considerably during her spell.

Tony Gollan expects a bold showing from Zelady’s Night Out. Picture: Jono Searle

Tommy Berry will ride her at Randwick on Saturday and Gollan is expecting a bold performance from the front-running filly who will have her first start as a three-year-old.

“She needed a good, long break and she has developed a hell of a lot since her last run,” Gollan says.

“She is more dynamic now and she is a better horse to train.

“If she didn’t have that run in the autumn (last in the Group 2 Riesling at Randwick), there is no way she would be 20-1 in the Silver Shadow.

“It is very hard to assess the race as there are form lines coming from everywhere, but I am confident she will run well.”

Zelady’s Night Our may be spelled immediately after Saturday’s run, or perhaps given one more run, as Gollan eyes off Gold Coast Magic Millions races in January with the explosive sprinter.

Originally published as Tony Gollan embarks on two-state campaign with a pinch of confidence