Gollan geared up to break Stradbroke duck with Transatlantic trip

By Andrew Smith and Jordan Gerrans

Champion Queensland trainer Tony Gollan has made it no secret that for all he has achieved in his career, the Stradbroke Handicap remains the one that still tugs at him.

The top conditioner was on hand for Tuesday morning’s barrier draw for this weekend’s $3 million Group 1 event at Eagle Farm.

The stable’s main hope for the Stradbroke, Transatlantic, drew barrier 18 for Saturday’s running of the time-honoured race.

The galloper finished a disappointing ninth in the 2025 edition behind champion War Machine.

The stable’s previous best hope, the recently-retired Group 1-winner Antino, finished twelfth the year prior.

They have also gone close with Temple Of Boom finishing second in the 2014 edition of the race while Vega One was also the runner up behind Tofane in 2021.

Gollan said there was no shortage of motivation to add to his nine Group 1s with a Stradbroke crown.

“You’re born with the desire to win this race - if you love horse racing, and you're a Queensland trainer, or a Queensland lad, this is the race you were born to want to win,” Gollan said.

“It'll always be that way - even if I win it Saturday, it'll be the same again for next year.

“It's in our DNA up here, it's something we want to do - It's our biggest and best race, and if you don't want to get up and about for this race and start planning for it a way out out you're probably in the wrong game. 

“So I can't wait for Saturday - I'm really happy with my preparation into it.

“It's been 12 months in the making, so we're well and truly on song, and hopefully we can get the job done.”

The Group 1 champion of the 2025 Toorak Handicap put in a strong showing in the Kingsford Smith Cup before finishing a touch over a length behind winner Headley Grange.

Gollan said the wide gate was not set to bother his five-year-old galloper in the 1400m sprint.

“I wasn’t too fussed really - if anything, I didn’t want to draw right down low with him,” Gollan said.

“He's a horse who likes to begin and use his action and bowl into his position, whether it be in front or in that first four.

“So the wide draw for me at this seven furlong start, it’s not a deal breaker.”

Race favourite Fangirl drew barrier 11, while fellow fancies Headley Grange and Regal Award drew barriers 8 and 9, respectively.

Transatlantic was a $13 shot as of Wednesday morning with Tommy Berry in the saddle.

“It's always a good race, the market shows that and I don't know if the barrier draw will change that market substantially either,” Gollan said.

“Interesting race tempo wise is a bit tricky to see what sort of speed we've actually got in this race.

“It doesn't look to be breakneck on paper but we know Stradbrokes are very rarely run slow.

“We'll be talking about it all up until jump time on Saturday, but I'm really happy with my bloke.”

Gollan will also be eyeing off Group 1 glory in the $1 million J.J. Atkins.

Colt Martist produced two encouraging runs in Group 2 events the Spirit Of Boom and Sires’ Produce ahead of Saturday’s mile race for the juveniles.

The son of Trapeze Artist will jump from barrier 12 with gun hoop Mark Zahra on board.

“From his very first start, I targeted the carnival, that's why I gave him that extra run and then gave him a short let-up to get ready," Gollan said.

"I wanted to make sure he had enough prize money to get into these races.

"His Spirit Of Boom run was fantastic. We learned a bit about him that day, ride him a bit quieter and allow him to run on.

"Again, his Sires' run was fantastic, weaving through horses and not getting a lot of luck.

"He's a young colt and if we can time our run right, he can be thereabouts on Saturday, in a good race."

The Eagle Farm mentor also has high hopes for Pereille will also contest the Hinkler Quality Handicap over 1200m, after a third-placed finish in the Listed Chief De Beers.

“I think Pereille is pretty well-placed in the Hinkler, and Martist in the J.J. I’m expecting to run really well,” Gollan said.

“I see both those horses running good solid top three performances.

“If luck falls our way, we get the right part of the track etc, they'll be thereabouts.”

Martist was paying $10 for victory as of Wednesday morning.