Annabel Neasham is poised to officially open her Gold Coast training operation this week as stable star Zaaki bids to go back-to-back in the feature Group 2 Hollindale Stakes at Aquis Park on Saturday.
Neasham, who has been looking to set up a Gold Coast stable for some time, has this week taken over 40 boxes at the Traintech facility formerly used by Dubai-bound trainer Michael Costa.
Multiple Group 1 winner Zaaki headlines Neasham’s runners being aimed at this Saturday’s Gold Cup meeting which features six black-type races, including the $500,000 Hollindale Stakes.
Zaaki will be ridden by champion hoop James McDonald in the Hollindale against rivals including boom youngster Ayrton (Hugh Bowman) and Group 1 winning mare Hungry Heart (Willie Pike).
Gold Coast Turf Club CEO Steve Lines said Neasham’s decision to set up a SEQ stable was a huge feather in its cap.
“We are really excited to be welcoming Annabel to the training ranks on the Gold Coast,” Lines said.
“She joins some of the best trainers in Australia including Chris Waller, Lee Freedman and Group 1 winning trainers Toby and Trent Edmonds among others.
“It’s an exciting time for the club as we embark on our $38 million redevelopment which gets under way this month.
“So it’s really encouraging that trainers the calibre of Annabel are buying into our vision for the future of Aquis Park as we look to become the second metropolitan club in Queensland.”
Neasham said she was looking forward to sending horses to the Gold Coast for the TAB Queensland Racing Carnival over the next two months as well as giving her training operation another option for horses on a regular basis.
Assistant Trainer Todd Pollard will head the Gold Coast stable on a full-time basis, while many of Costa’s former horses and ground staff will stay on under the Annabel Neasham Racing banner.
“I’m really excited about this new opportunity for Annabel Neasham Racing on the Gold Coast,” Neasham said.
“The Gold Coast stable will add another dimension to our operation and compliment what the stable has been able to achieve from our base at Warwick Farm.
“It will give our horses more options for racing in both Queensland and NSW.
“The club has been really supportive which I’m incredibly thankful for and I’m looking forward to what the future holds on the Gold Coast.”
Neasham has become one of the dominant forces of the Australian racing industry in recent years, headlined by the likes of star galloper Zaaki, dual Group 1 winner Mo’unga and an exciting crop of young horses coming through the ranks.
Click here for further information on the 2022 TAB Queensland Racing Carnival.