Believe what you see with Nettuno in the George Moore Stakes
Tony Gollan was on weather watch for all of his starters at Doomben on Saturday, but his main focus is on the feature – the Group 3 George Moore Stakes (1200m) – where he’ll saddle nearly half the field with five runners.
Having won five of the past eight editions of the sprinting feature, Gollan’s headline chances in Zoustyle and last start winner Nettuno will be favoured especially if more forecasted rain arrives.
Nettuno ($3.50), Zoustyle ($9), All That Pizzazz ($13), Baller ($15) and Vinco ($71) are all set to line up but it is the last start effort of Nettuno’s two-length victory in the Swiss Ace Plate (1000m) at Sunshine Coast a fortnight ago that has him most taken.
“Believe what you see,” Gollan said of the four-year-old entire who will carry 54-kilos with Ryan Maloney aboard.
“With the set weights and penalties conditions of the Swiss Ace, he looked to be in there terribly but he demolished them.
“Back on 54-kilos here and over the Doomben 1200-metres with a low draw (barrier 2), that is the final piece of the puzzle.
“It feels like the penny has dropped and if he races like that again, he is really well placed.”
Should the track remain affected, Nettuno’s chances are raised further having recorded four wins on wet ground.
Similarly for Zoustyle who won the George Moore Stakes in 2021, and also returned in the Swiss Ace Plate for a strong fourth placing behind Nettuno.
“I can’t wait to see him back at Doomben,” Gollan said of the eight-year-old.
“I loved his work on Tuesday and obviously Father Time is catching up with him, and all of us, but loved his effort in a torrid run in the Swiss Ace.
“He was the best of the on-pacers by far and I loved watching him go around at Doomben on Tuesday.
“He was so clean in his action and he loves that track. His record is unbelievable.
Zoustyle meets race favourite Rothfire ($3.20) favourite positively in the weights with a 4½-kilo differential.
“With Rothfire being there (carrying 61-kilos) it has brought this horse in really well at the weights.
“He can bounce and cross them and find that rail around Doomben.
“He’ll run a hell of a race and if you were on him at the Sunshine Coast, don’t get off him.”
More Racing News
Antino up for G1 Kingsford Smith Cup challenge
Tony Gollan knows this Saturday’s Kingsford Smith Cup will be the toughest test of Antino’s career, but he is confident the five-year-old can be a factor in the $1 million event. Queensland’s leading trainer has described the 1300-metre event, one of two Group 1 races at Eagle Farm this Saturday, as the race...
Selino prepares for Brisbane Cup title defence
Finding suitable races for a dour stayer at this time of year is a challenge for even Australia’s most accomplished horsemen, just ask Chris Waller. Waller has his sights set on Selino defending his Brisbane Cup crown but says working out how to get him there has required a bit of novel...
Queensland tilt among the options for Neasham 2YO
A belated shot at the Brisbane winter carnival is among the options for lightly raced filly Aemelius after she upstaged a handy field of two-year-olds to win the opening race at Randwick. Having just her second start, the Annabel Neasham-trained youngster, who started at $12 with betting sites, went back to last...
Scarlet Oak wins Roses to earn G1 Queensland Oaks favouritism
Chris Waller has labelled Scarlet Oak a “rising star” after the lightly raced filly staked her Group One Queensland Oaks claims with a classy win over stablemate Mare Of Mt Buller in the Doomben Roses. The filly has come a long way in a short time, making a winning debut in New Zealand in...
Sargent hoping Casual Connection can earn a Brisbane Cup berth
John Sargent is crossing his fingers that Casual Connection’s narrow victory at Randwick will give him a sufficient ratings boost to squeeze into the field for the Brisbane Cup. A renowned trainer of stayers, Sargent saddled up two runners in the two-mile race last year, Essential Sky who finished fifth and Outlandos ninth, and...
The Black Cloud descends on Randwick rivals
Having begun the day questioning how well The Black Cloud had come back this campaign, Joe Pride ended it by labelling her a stakes-class horse in the making. The Proven Thoroughbreds filly took her record to three wins from four starts with a rousing first-up victory in Saturday’s Taylor Construction Handicap (1000m)...
Le Ferrari leads home Lindsay Park quinella at Sandown
A return to Sandown has paid a dividend for Lindsay Park galloper Le Ferrari who led home a one-two finish for Ben, Will and J D Hayes. Le Ferrari over-ran stablemate Rheinberg to claim the Thoroughbred Club Of Australia Handicap (1400m) on Saturday. Ridden by Ben Allen, Le Ferrari ($10) overhauled Rheinberg ($7.50) in the final...
Bois D’Argent upsets rivals in G1 Doomben Cup
Trainer Annabel Neasham has landed a second victory in the Doomben Cup with a horse she said was well over the odds. Imported galloper Bois D’Argent held off a late bid from New Endeavour to follow the win of Zaaki for Neasham in 2021 in the Group 1 2000m weight-for-age contest. Ridden by Blake...
Timely Sandown double for Dan O’Sullivan
The Ballarat stable of Dan O’Sullivan is enjoying a purple patch of form in the metropolitan area which has included a race-to-race double at Sandown. O’Sullivan welcomed back to the winner’s enclosure Way Up High in the Sportsbet Photo Finish Handicap (2400m) before Matriarch Rose took out the Stow Solutions Handicap (1600m) on Saturday. The...
Trip test next for Lady In Pink
A return to Sandown has brought out the best in the Leon and Troy Corstens-trained Lady In Pink who will now be stepped up in trip for a race at Flemington. Lady In Pink took out the Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1600m) on Saturday and will head to Flemington for a 2000m...