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Gollan rolls out two big guns for summer carnival opener

16 November 2017

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By Glenn Davis

Trainer Tony Gollan is at a loss to explain Most Important’s two recent Caulfield failures but is hopeful the gelding can bounce back to form in the Listed Keith Noud Quality at Doomben on Saturday.

Most Important will lock horns with stablemate Hi I’m Back in the 1200-metre feature which launches the summer carnival and Gollan is reluctant to split the pair.

Most Important finished third in last year’s Keith Noud Quality run at Eagle Farm before stringing together three straights wins in the Group 2 George Moore Stakes, Listed Lough Neagh Stakes and Buffering Quality last summer.

The five-year-old was sent to Melbourne with high hopes in August but ran well below expectations finishing last in the Listed Regal Roller and Listed Testa Rossa Stakes at Caulfield.

“He raced twice at Caulfield and went awful and I still can’t explain it,” Gollan said.

“I couldn’t find anything wrong with him but the track was a bit greasy.

“Since he’s come home he has trialled well in quick time and is working strongly.

“He looks great so I’m forgetting his Melbourne runs.”

Gollan is also excited about the prospects of Hi I’m Back who beat Cantbuybetter and With A Promise in open company last start at Doomben on October 28.

“He reminds me a lot of Most Important this time last year,” Gollan said.

“His last run was terrific and he comes into this race with a light weight and is drawn well.

“He’s an improving horse and the way he races he guarantees himself that he gets a good run.

“I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t measure up to these good summer races.”

Gollan believes both sprinters will be highly competitive and had no preference between the pair.

“I’m sitting on the fence with them as they’ve both got great chances,” he said.

“I’m totally miffed by Most Important’s Melbourne runs but he looks great and is ready to go again.

“His biggest problem is he’s carrying 59kgs whereas last year he was well down in the weights much like Hi I’m Back is this Saturday.”

Both sprinters will be on the same path over the summer months with the George Moore Stakes at Doomben on December 2 and Lough Neagh Stakes at Doomben a fortnight later on their agendas.

Most Important will then head into the Magic Millions Cup at the Gold Coast in January while Hi I’m Back is ineligible for the Magic Millions carnival.

Racing Queensland webnews  November 16