Gollan confident despite Gold Coast deluge

By Glenn Davis

A Gold Coast drenching doesn’t hold any concerns for champion trainer Tony Gollan ahead of the $1 million Magic Millions National 2YO Classic on Friday.

Gollan’s Dolly Boom and Itchintogo made the final field for the 1000 metre dash while Final Crusade is first emergency.

The Gold Coast was rated a Heavy 10 earlier in the week following several days of soaking rain, but has improved to a Heavy 8 under sunny skies since Wednesday. 

Gollan is confident they’ll handle the conditions.

On pedigree, Dolly Boom should handle a heavy surface as her mother Sweet Dolly was a duck in the wet and won the $500,000 QTIS Jewel on a Heavy 9 at the Gold Coast in 2021.

Sweet Dolly gave her Rockhampton trainer Kevin Hansen the biggest win of his career in the Listed Calaway Gal at Eagle Farm in 2020.

Gollan may be in a different universe to Hansen when it comes to training, but the pair share a common link through Dolly Boom.

Gollan trained Dolly Boom’s Group 1-winning sire Spirit Of Boom, who tragically died recently, while Sweet Dolly put Hansen in the spotlight before he retired from training three months ago.

Sweet Dolly started only five times for four wins and a third before her career was cut short by injury after earning more than $481,000 in prizemoney.

While Sweet Dolly was a cheap $1,500 buy as a yearling, Dolly Boom was knocked down for $140,000 at last year’s Magic Millions March sales at the Gold Coast.

“I’m no longer training after retiring about three months ago and I’m enjoying every minute,” Hansen said.

“I’ve never met Tony, but I’ve been following Dolly Boom since she had her first start.

“She looks very promising and she shouldn’t have any problem if the track is wet as Sweet Dolly won the QTIS Jewel on a Heavy 9.”

Gollan thinks Dolly Boom was out of her comfort zone when she finished second as a short-priced favourite in a 1000 metre maiden at the Sunshine Coast on May 10.

“She’s raced well in all three starts, but she was out of her comfort zone last start,” Gollan said.

“Her mother loved the wet, so hopefully that’ll help her.

“She’s only a slender thing, but she’s very fit and is in good nick.”

Gollan has booked Ben Thompson to ride Dolly Boom while Ben Melham is aboard Itchintogo. Itchintogo finished seventh to The Next Episode in the Listed Dalrello Stakes at Eagle Farm on May 2.

Ryan Maloney will partner Final Crusade, if the colt gains a start.

“Itchintogo wasn’t quite forward enough for the Dalrello, but he’s been a big improver since and the turning Gold Coast track should suit him better," Gollan said.

“I’m not worried about a wet track with him either.”