Tony Gollan launches all-out Stradbroke Handicap assault in The Gateway in hunt for golden ticket

Recent changes to The Gateway mean winning connections earn a slot into the Stradbroke which they can use themselves or sell off to another horse, which adds to the intrigue of Saturday’s $300,000 feature.

Freedom Rally headlines a huge team for Tony Gollan looking for a Stradbroke berth. Picture: Grant Peters—Trackside Photography.

Tony Gollan will launch an all-out attack on The Gateway at Eagle Farm on Saturday as the champion trainer looks to secure the first slot in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap next year.

The winner of the $300,000 Gateway secures a golden ticket into the $3m Stradbroke and Gollan could have as many as six runners in the race on Saturday.

Dubbed the “Antino rule”, Queensland racing officials recently announced winning connections of The Gateway would instead win a “slot” into the Stradbroke that can be used on their own horse, or sold off to another after Gollan was left with one-time race favourite Antino missing the ballot when he was beaten by stablemate Tick Tock Queen in last year’s Gateway.

Despite her $151 quote in the Stradbroke, Tick Tock Queen ran a respectable eighth.

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“This has always been a race that really intrigues me and it is even more interesting now,” Gollan said.

“The changes will play out and I’m sure it will add intrigue in the lead up to the Stradbroke.”

Gollan has nominated Freedom Rally and Count Da Beans as he top seeds for The Gateway on Saturday.

“I have nominated six or seven, we will see who gets in and who does what,” Gollan said.

Exciting Tony Gollan-trained three-year-old Freedom Rally is one to watch at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Picture: Grant Peters, Trackside Photography,,

“Freedom Rally and Count Da Beans are probably the top two and then there is Deer Trail if he can get in.

“(Freedom Rally) was good on a day it was hard to come from back and wide, we got further back than we normally would on him.

“He wanted to lay in late, which did concern me but I haven’t found a reason for it and he hasn’t done it since, we will cross that bridge on the weekend.

“A low draw would be nice, but 1400m has always been the trip for this horse.

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“He profiles like a nice horse, he has the ability to use his Stradbroke slot should he win on Saturday.

“I know there is a lot to go between now and then but he can pick up ratings points quickly.”

It comes as Gollan weighs up his options with George Moore Stakes winner Zoustyle as Gollan potentially hunts for a Magic Millions wildcard.

“There are a couple of different options, obviously the Falvelon is one, he needs a wildcard to get into the Magic Millions,” Gollan said.

“His record at Eagle Farm is ordinary to say the least, there is The Buffering at Doomben and I have always wanted to try him over 1350m.”