Queensland’s domination of the sporting calendar extended to the track on Saturday when Transatlantic triumphed in the $1 million Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield.

Already home to the AFL and NRL premierships, the Sunshine State celebrated another major as Tony Gollan’s Transatlantic ($10) fought off a late challenge to edge Evaporate ($6) by a short head, with Leica Lucy ($7.50) third. Favourite Sepals ($2.50) had no luck, trapped in traffic and finishing at the tail.

The victory handed Gollan back-to-back Toorak wins, following Antino’s dominant six-and-a-half-length romp last year. “We bought him as a yearling and there have been a few ownership changes, but it’s a terrific result,” Gollan said. “He’s such an honest horse and to get a Group 1 with him is just a great story. There’s something in the water in Brisbane right now.”

Gollan joins Robert Heathcote as the only other Queenslander to win consecutive Toorak Handicaps, Heathcote having done so with Solzhenitsyn in 2012–13.

Jockey Mark Zahra executed a faultless front-running ride, taking the gelding forward from a wide draw and dictating the tempo. “I knew I had a good rhythm in front and when I kicked, I kicked good,” Zahra said. “He’s a thinker, but when I switched the whip and felt Evaporate coming, he dug in. That’s great courage.”

Transatlantic has now won seven of his 20 starts for over $1.3 million in stakes. Gollan’s Queensland stable continues its incredible run of form, further strengthening the state’s growing presence on the national racing stage.

Betting on major Group 1 races like the Toorak Handicap is available through top Australian betting sites.