Pizzazz needed to be the King Of The Mountain
Tony Gollan concedes that the set weights and penalties conditions of the King Of The Mountain slightly dents his confidence in snaring the second edition of Queensland’s first slot race, but having set All That Pizzazz for the New Year’s Day feature, and with the horse having proven himself at the track, all hope is not lost.
Toowoomba plays host to the $750,000 1200-metre event in which the inaugural edition was won by local trainers Tony and Maddysen Sears with Yellow Brick on December 31, 2022.
Moved to now be a January 1 feature for 2024 and beyond, the race has been in Gollan’s sights for this four-year-old gelding especially after a successful trip to the course in September winning the Listed Weetwood Handicap (1200m) beating Yellow Brick that day.
Allotted 58-kilos with Queensland’s leading jockey James Orman in the saddle, All That Pizzazz has two-kilos less than race favourite Rothfire.
“He’s going to have to be a giant killer,” Gollan said of All That Pizzazz.
“We don’t get in as well in the weights as the favourite, there’s no doubt, though we do get in a lot better than most.
“Just not as well as him.”
All That Pizzazz rattled home to win the Listed Bribie Handicap (1000m) at Eagle Farm on December 9.
“This has always been my target race,” Gollan added of the Toowoomba feature.
“The reasoning to go to the Weetwood and back off him was to always go there and see how he handles Toowoomba as it is very horses for courses.
“He did, and got it done against a local that is a very handy horse.
“We go there now and face Rothfire who hasn’t been there before, but he is an adaptable and good sprinter and I can’t see why he wouldn’t be hard to beat.”
However, Gollan is happy with drawing barrier eight with what he expects to a race of early speed pressure.
“He is a giant killer, this horse,” he added.
“He’s not big in stature but he does things well.
“He’s a real winner.”
Having won two of his last three starts, and having finished outside of the quinella placings only once in five runs this preparation so far, All That Pizzazz is at $3.80 with online bookmakers for the King Of The Mountain with Rothfire the $1.70 favourite.
More Racing News
Mr consistency heads to the 2026 Ballarat Cup
Ocean Beyond might not always warm the hearts of punters, but he remains an exceptionally consistent earner for his connections. The Simon Ryan-trained gelding will attempt to secure his biggest payday yet when he contests the $500,000 Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) on Saturday, entering the race with more than $535,000 already...
Bar raised for in-form colt Swift Legend
Swift Legend has earned his opportunity in stronger company after back-to-back midweek victories, but jockey Jason Collett remains cautious as the colt continues to mature. The Dundeel youngster lines up in Sunday’s Vinnie @ Yarraman Park Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill, stepping out from recent wins at Warwick Farm and Canterbury. Collett says...
Inhabit out to book a 2026 Magic Millions Classic trip
Unbeaten filly Inhabit will be racing for a Magic Millions berth when she steps out again on Saturday. A stylish debut winner at Murray Bridge in October, she now lines up in the Sportsbet Same Race Multi Two-Year-Old Plate (1000m) at Morphettville Parks. Her assignment has been simplified with three scratchings, leaving...
Tommy Berry to test the summer carnival waters in 2025 George Moore Stakes
Tommy Berry will be a key figure in Brisbane this weekend as he reunites with Caballus, while also unveiling a valuable Magic Millions hopeful. Berry’s association with Caballus includes a Flemington stakes win two starts ago, prior to the sprinter backing up into the Champions Sprint, where he was unplaced behind...
Rob and Annabel Archibald hoping to return north with West Of Africa
Despite Sydney lacking a feature race this weekend, Sunday’s Rosehill program will be pivotal for Rob and Annabel Archibald as they shape their Magic Millions carnival team. The Archibalds will run West Of Africa and Mickey’s Medal in the TAB Handicap (1400m), with both aiming to justify a January trip to...
SA raider Promises Kept chases 2025 Ballarat Cup
Trainer Michael Hickmott is confident that new stable acquisition Promises Kept can give his owners plenty to look forward to over the next fortnight. The gelding heads east for Saturday’s Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) and may then target the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) seven days later. Previously trained by Greg Eurell and...
Michael Dee makes Ascot return for Apulia in 2025 Northerly Stakes
Group 1-winning jockey Michael Dee is set to make a rare Perth appearance as he chases more elite-level success aboard Apulia. Dee will ride the Lindsay Park-trained entire in the Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot, marking his first visit to the track since November 2018. The Victorian lightweight has a strong record...
Son of ill-fated stallion St Jean scores impressive debut win
Melek, a staying-bred son of St Jean, made the perfect start to his racing career with a determined win over the mile at Caulfield Heath on Wednesday. The Ciaron Maher-trained four-year-old debuted in the Sportsbet Race Previews Plate (1600m) and made an immediate impact. Starting at $4.20 after firming late, Melek charged...
Slick return has Lubrication ready to rumble in 2025 George Moore Stakes
Lubrication has put his hand up for a strong summer campaign after a powerhouse first-up performance that sends him into the Group Three George Moore Stakes at Doomben full of confidence. The gelding enjoyed a breakout moment in May when winning the $1 million The Archer (1300m) at Rockhampton, defeating future...
Weather prompts Rosehill races transfer
Saturday’s Rosehill race meeting will now be held on Sunday after Racing NSW moved to avoid anticipated extreme heat across Sydney, with temperatures set to surge past 40 degrees. Racing NSW stewards had tracked forecasts closely all week and, with no relief in sight, chief steward Tom Moxon confirmed the rescheduling...