The Tony Gollan trained Listen Son will put his record of being undefeated over the 1400m at Eagle Farm on the line in the Group One Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Tony Gollan will have his first runner in a Group One when Listen Son lines up in the Stradbroke
Listen Son has tackled the 1400m trip at Eagle Farm four times and has saluted the judge on each occasion.
However despite his excellent record at the track and distance (five of Listen Son’s six career wins have come at Eagle Farm, four of them over 1400m) Gollan understands how lucky he is to have his first runner in a Group One race.
“At the start of the prep I thought he would have to get a win to get in. When he got beaten the other day (4th in QTC Cup behind Varenna Miss) I didn’t think he’d make it but he snuck in and now we’ve got a chance,” said Gollan.
Listen Son’s winter campaign has been solid without being spectacular.
First up he finished second behind Border Rebel over 1200m at Eagle Farm, before turning in a disappointing display in the Prime Ministers Cup on the Gold Coast where he finished down the track. He was then second in the BRC Sprint at Doomben behind Woorim and last start he overcame a wide draw to put in a solid run down the straight to finish fourth in the QTC Cup.
The fact that Listen Son is having his fifth start this preparation is not a concern for Gollan who believes his horse thrives on tough racing.
“He’s extremely durable and I’ve never seen him put in a bad race. He does recover out of his races nicely so I don’t see it being a concern.” Gollan said.
Listen Son normally pushes forward in his races however Gollan believes that he may have to take a sit off the lead in the Stradbroke because of the number of go-forward horses.
“He’s got the one alley so we might have to take a trail. There’s lots of speed in this race, so we might just have to wait and see what happens in the first 200 meters. But I can see four or five horses that will go forward.” Gollan said.
Gollan went on to say that there was no cut and dry stand out in the Stradbroke and that his horse had a good chance in what he believed to be a very open race.
“My bloke is undefeated at the track and distance, but in far different company to what he will face on Saturday. But I’m sure he will race gallantly,” said Gollan.
Gollan also trains Temple of Boom, who will line up as top weight in the David Jones Lightning Handicap (1000m) on Saturday.
Temple of Boom is resuming after a 21 week break but the horse has enviable first up record of four wins and a second from five starts. He has also won four of eight and been placed another three times in races at Eagle Farm.
Gollan said that he was not concerned with the fact that Temple of Boom finished a couple of lengths behind the leaders in a recent barrier trial.
“He’s certainly improved since the trial. If Corey can get some luck and be in a position to have one final shot at them in the home straight they’ll certainly know he’s in the race.
Gollan also said that forecast rain would not be a problem for Temple of Boom.
Temple of Boom is undefeated on Heavy tracks with a record of two from two, while he has won three and been placed another three times from seven starts on slow tracks.
Temple of boom is currently favourite for the David Jones Lightning Handicap at $2.60. Meanwhile Listen Son is listed as a $26.00 chance in the Stradbroke.
