Comrade’s class to fore at Doomben

There was no doubt who the class of the field was in the Listed Tattersall’s Classic (1200m) with Group 2 winning mare Comrade Rosa giving weight to all of her rivals but still proving too strong under a perfect Ryan Maloney ride.

The Tony Gollan trained mare was something of a revelation last preparation, going to the paddock as a benchmark 72 winner and returning with a listed third, listed win and Group 2 win in the Dane Ripper Stakes before a close up eighth in the Group 1 Tatts Tiara (1400m).

Comrade Rosa ($2.70 bookmakers fav) got back in the field from a wide draw first up when fourth to Extremist but a kinder barrier and race fitness saw her turn the tables, winning by a length over the resuming Better Get Set ($21) just ahead of Extremist ($4.80) in third.

Gollan has only had Comrade Rosa in his stable since January of this year but has more lofty plans for the five-year-old mare, suggesting another crack at Group 1 company is on the agenda next year.

“We’re only going to give her a very light Summer, so I’ll probably just give her one more run I’d say now and then we’ll back off her and she’s going to have a pretty busy next year. I really want to get her back obviously to the Tatts Tiara in the Winter so one more run and then we’ve got a pretty busy 2024 for her,” Gollan said.

Originally with John O’Shea in Sydney, owners Graham and Linda Huddy opted to send the mare to Queensland in a move that has paid dividends, winning five times from nine starts under Gollan’s care.

“She’s going great, ever since Graham and Linda sent this mare up to Queensland she’s just really turned the corner, bit of confidence, bit of sun on her back, not as much sun today as we normally get but she’s done a great job. It’s always great training winners for Graham and Linda, they put so much into racing and they’re good supporters of our stable that’s for sure,” Gollan said