Boomtown Boss triumphs in a thrilling Aurie's Star Handicap

The strategic move by trainer Tony Gollan to transfer Boomtown Boss south has paid off spectacularly, with the Queenslander clinching the opening black-type race of the new Australian racing season, the Group 3 Aurie's Star Handicap (1200m) at Flemington.

After a disjointed Brisbane winter campaign, Gollan chose to rest the gelding following his run in the Eye Liner Stakes, subsequently relocating him to Ciaron Maher's Cranbourne facilities in readiness for a tilt down the famous Flemington straight.

This relocation proved to be an inspired choice, as Boomtown Boss, starting at $13, put in a gutsy performance to narrowly edge out Royal Insignia ($8.50), with Arkansaw Kid securing third place.

Gollan expressed his belief that the wide-open spaces of Flemington would suit the gelding's racing pattern.

"He profiles as a horse who loves big tracks and a lot of room so I felt that for a little while he would make a nice straight horse," Gollan said.

"During his winter prep, he was going nowhere and when I zigged I should have zagged, everything was going wrong."

"I knew this race was on the cards so I backed off him (after the Eye Liner Stakes) and sent him to Ciaron's (Maher) at Cranbourne to really settle him in."

"I thought the trip away, and with straight racing, I thought it would suit him and through the race he was travelling alright."

Late pre-race drama saw original favourite War Machine scratched after he bolted through the starting barriers. Further contention arose after the finish, as the connections of Royal Insignia lodged a protest against the winning jockey Daniel Moor, alleging the use of the whip was excessive.

Stewards confirmed excessive whip use but ruled it was not substantial enough to alter the race's outcome, confirming Boomtown Boss as the winner by a neck.

Moor conceded that the gelding was still acclimatising to the challenges of straight-track racing.

"He came here a bit unknown down the straight and he did wander about a bit and change legs a lot, but you just know that when you're on a Tony Gollan horse that they are well prepared," Moor remarked.

The victory marked a significant achievement for Gollan, securing his second Aurie's Star Handicap title, having previously won with Temple Of Boom in 2011.

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