Tony Gollan has included two runners in the small list of nominations for Saturday’s Group 2 Victory Stakes (1200m) at Doomben, and is pleased with the conditions of both horses leading into what will be their competitive returns.
Fontelina is one of two for Tony Gollan in 2016 Victory Stakes nominations. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia
Queensland’s leading trainer, Gollan has experienced plenty of success with his stable’s stars through recent editions of the Brisbane Winter Carnival and is offered two legitimate chances of beginning 2016’s campaign with success in the Victory Stakes via Didntcostalot and Fontelina.
Purchased for only $3000, Didntcostalot has been a strong and largely consistent performer fsince first appearing on course in 2011; posting ten wins and seven minors through 37 starts, on his way to more than half a million dollars in prize money.
Fontelina began his racing tenure under the guidance of Anthony Cummings and is unlucky not to have posted a maiden win at the highest level; finishing a close second in both the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) in 2013 and the Group 1 William Reid Stakes in 2014 most notably.
Gollan told Racing Ahead he is pleased with the condition of both runners leading into the 2016 Victory Stakes and is confident they will both lay great accounts for themselves in the feature race.
“At this stage they’ll both go around,” Gollan said.
“Small field but always a hard little race to win.
“They’re both there first-up for their Winter Carnival preps and hopefully they can kick off and run well go onto the better races throughout the carnival.”
Didntcostalot and Fontelina headlined an impressive late spring and Brisbane summer for Gollan last year alongside Traveston Girl; following a similar course through black type feature races.
Didntcostalot won a pair of minor Doomben sprints upon resuming in spring; progressing to third in the Cardno Handicap (1200m) on September 26th before returning to winning form in the Aitkenvale Health Centre Handicap (1110m).
Undoubtedly producing a career-best performance to date to win the Group 3 George Moore Stakes (1200m) on November 28th, the Danerich gelding has not been seen at the races since finishing sixth in the Magic Millions Sprint (1100m) on January 9th.
Fontelina began his first preparation for Gollan fifth in the Listed Lightning (1100m) on October 17th, and while failing to fire when ninth in the Group 2 Salinger Stakes (1200m), responded well in placing third in the George Moore Stakes and winning the Listed Lough Neagh Stakes (1350m).
The 2016 Victory Stakes final field and barrier draw is due to be completed and released by midday, Wednesday.
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