Dougall gives Super Quick tip at Gatton

By Glenn Davis

Good horses can change lives.

But, it never affected Toowoomba trainer Tom Dougall who remains laid back as ever.

Dougall experienced the ride of a lifetime with his former star sprinter Go Wandji but he took it all in his stride to remain grounded.

Go Wandji’s career ended last year when he was retired after eight wins and six placings from 19 starts and more than $240,000 in prizemoney.

It was a remarkable career for a $20,000 buy who attracted a huge offer from Hong Kong and was a one-time fancy for the Stradbroke Handicap.

Go Wandji never made it to the big dance after his career was plagued with breathing problems which required two surgeries.

“You enjoy the good days like we had with Go Wandji,” Dougall said.

A son of Wandjina, Go Wandji had his last start when he beat three home in a 1200 metre Benchmark race at Eagle Farm in June last year.

Fast forward to now and Dougall has moved on since his Go Wandji days and will head to Gatton on Tuesday hopeful of finding another winner or two.

He launches a two-pronged attack with Koruto and Super Quick in the Benchmark 70 Handicap over 1400 metres while Reggie’s Folly lines up in the Class 3 Plate over 1600 metres.

Koruto - a Jake Molloy mount - will carry topweight of 62.5kgs but hasn’t started since finishing eighth in an 1835 metre Benchmark race at Eagle Farm in May.

His stablemate Super Quick will be ridden by Ryan Wiggins and has finished second at his past two starts including his latest in a 1400 metre Benchmark race at Gatton on October 16.

Dougall has handed heavyweight jockey Paul Hamblin the ride on Reggie’s Folly who won at Gatton in September before finishing fourth last start in a 1600 metre Benchmark race at Gatton earlier this month. 

The eight-year-old Koruto has been a track specialist winning three of his five starts at Gatton, but he has not won in six first-up attempts.

Dougall has given punters a lead by favouring Super Quick ahead of Koruto.

“Koruto loves the track but he’s not getting any younger, so I’d have to favour Super Quick,” Dougall said.

“They’re tipping there will be some give it the ground and if he gets that he’ll be hard to beat.

“He’s as honest as they come and his last run was very good.

“I think Reggie’s Folly is also a good chance if he puts in as he’s in a suitable race this time.”