Zoustyle will have a tough task at Moonee Valley
Queensland trainer Tony Gollan concedes his sprinter Zoustyle will have a tough task beating Giga Kick when they meet at Moonee Valley.
The Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1000m) on Saturday will see Zoustyle, second in the sprint 12 months ago, tackle Giga Kick and five other rivals, including last year’s nemesis Rothfire.
“I don’t know whether he can beat Giga Kick,” Gollan told RSN.
“Either him or I Wish I Win, they’re probably Australia’s best horses at the moment.
“They can do things possibly other horses can’t do, but if he does have a sweet spot my horse, it’s probably 1000 metres around Moonee Valley.
“These turning tracks suit as he’s a horse that can quicken nicely around bends.
“He will get his chance to run well, but we’re under no illusions just how tough it will be.
There are others in there like Imperatriz, a good horse and Rothfire, who is going very well also.”
After a solid spring campaign last year in Melbourne that saw Zoustyle finish second or third in all four starts, the autumn was not as good for the ageing sprinter.
After a first-up fifth in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Sandown in February, Zoustyle failed to show his best in two subsequent outings.
Gollan said the first-up Oakleigh Plate effort flattened Zoustyle.
“He always seems to fire up in the spring and summer and his autumn and winters are not quite as good,” Gollan said.
“He seems to be back in really good shape. His jump-outs and trials have been terrific, and he seems ready to rock ‘n’ roll this week, which he will need to be as it is a very strong race.
“He’s settling in the barriers now. Last year he was a bit fractious in the barriers and I was starting to get a bit concerned, but he seems in a really good place this year.
“He’s stepping out well and still has his customary speed.
“What we saw with him last spring was that really good tenacity. When things got tough, he kept fighting to the line, even though he wasn’t winning.
“I’m pretty positive that we will see something like that again on the weekend.”
More Racing News
War Machine to target the 2026 Australia Stakes
Top-class sprinter War Machine will resume in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham on Friday night as connections eye a strong autumn campaign. The race, traditionally held at Moonee Valley, has been moved due to redevelopment works and shapes as an ideal launchpad for the Lindsay Park galloper. War Machine...
Antino to target 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the Autumn
A strong trial session at Deagon on Tuesday will be highlighted by the return of Antino as Tony Gollan begins plotting another autumn campaign for the talented gelding. Antino has not raced since his disappointing effort in the Group 1 Cox Plate, where he finished last after failing to fire on...
2026 Golden Slipper Stakes favourite Incognito nearing return to the races
The absence of Incognito from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic did little to dent his standing in Golden Slipper markets, with the colt edging closer to a raceday return. Michael Freedman elected to sidestep the Gold Coast feature with the $1 million purchase, instead opting for a controlled trial as the...
Torque To Be Sure breaks maiden in 2026 Magic Millions Guineas, survives protest
Torque To Be Sure finally lived up to his promise with a breakthrough victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas, though his success came with a nervous wait in the stewards’ room. The Matthew Dunn-trained gelding drifted under pressure in the closing stages, bumping race favourite Ninja as the...
Unit Five powers home in the 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Unit Five announced himself as a rising star with a powerful victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, overcoming far more seasoned rivals despite limited race experience. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt, ridden confidently by Thomas Stockdale, held off Tornado Valley by a length, with By Choice finishing just behind...
Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 plans for Godolphin’s Outspan
The Godolphin-trained Outspan has thrust himself into Golden Slipper calculations after a commanding win at Rosehill on Saturday. After settling just behind the speed in the 1100m contest, the Michael Freedman-trained colt finished strongly to defeat Long Throw ($15) by 1-1/2 lengths, with Miss Chanel ($4.60) another half-length back. The performance marked...
Big Sky surges into 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes calculations
Big Sky’s dominant debut at Flemington has propelled him straight into calculations for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), giving Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr the top two runners in early betting. The Bivouac colt overcame a wide draw in the TAB We’re On (1000m), travelling strongly under Jordan...
Future History too strong in the 2026 January Cup
Future History showed his class and toughness when landing the $200,000 Listed January Cup at Rosehill, giving Ciaron Maher another feature race success. The eight-year-old almost didn’t take his place in the race after heavy rain downgraded the track, but connections elected to press on despite concerns about the conditions. Ridden positively...
Mile no issue for Merrigold in 2026 Vobis Gold Distaff
Trainer John Sadler admitted a touch of stubbornness delayed Merrigold’s step up to 1600 metres, but the mare made him look wise with a dominant Flemington victory. The five-year-old was having her first start beyond 1400 metres and handled the rise in distance with ease when taking out the Vobis Gold...
Mile test for Harry’s Yacht in 2026 Vobis Gold Reef
Will Larkin is confident the timing is right to test Harry’s Yacht over the mile when the gelding contests Saturday’s Vobis Gold Reef at Flemington. The four-year-old has enjoyed a strong preparation to date, registering two wins at benchmark level and adding two placings in Vobis races over 1200 metres. Training in...