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Track to decide if Tumbler an sibling clash in Lightning

1 June 2018

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By Glenn Davis

Rival siblings Nieta and Tumbler will revive memories of Queensland’s famous “Boom Brothers”, Temple Of Boom and Spirit Of Boom if the pair clash in the Listed Lightning Handicap at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.

The John Thompson-trained raider Nieta is by Nicconi out of Brooktown Flash while local star Tumbler is by Time Thief out of the same dam and is prepared by Eagle Farm trainer Barry Lockwood.

The Tony Gollan-trained “Boom Brothers” are the most recent Queensland sprinters to have clashed several times during their careers with the most memorable encounter in the 2014 Group 1 Doomben 10,000 when Spirit Of Boom edged out Temple Of Boom.

The Boom Brothers were both out of the dam Temple Spirit.

Nieta made her Queensland winter carnival debut finishing a creditable fifth, less than 2-1/2 lengths behind Gracida in the Listed Chief De Beers at Doomben two weeks ago.

Tumbler, a winner of seven of her 10 starts, hasn’t raced since finishing second to Stella Ombra at Doomben in early August but has been fitted up for her return with a Doomben barrier trial placing on May 15.

Lockwood has always had a big opinion of Tumbler whose career has been plagued with injury and has warned she won’t run if the track remains heavy.

If she starts, the six-year-old will be out to continue her perfect first-up record of four wins.

Tumbler is yet to start on a heavy track but has two wins from three starts on soft surfaces.

“She’s done enough work and her trial was good and is fit enough to run well first-up,” Lockwood said.

“But if the track stays heavy I’ll scratch her so I’ll wait until race morning.”

Thompson has never sighted Tumbler and is happy with Nieta’s progress since her defeat in the Chief De Beers.

“I’ve never seen Tumbler in the flesh but my mare is going great,” Thompson said.

“Her run in the Chief De Beers was better than it looked.

“They went very fast up front and they finished the race the same way so she did a good job to finish fifth.”

A wet track will be the least of Thompson’s concerns for Nieta as she’s unbeaten from three starts on slow tracks while also winning twice from four appearances on heavy tracks.

“All her form on slow and heavy tracks is very good and she’s drawn well," Thompson said.

“She hasn’t been on a wet track for a while and I’ll be happy if there’s some speed up front.”

Racing Queensland webnews   June 1