The decision by trainer Tony Gollan to campaign Boomtown Boss in the southern states has proven to be an immediate success, with the Queensland sprinter claiming the opening black-type race of the new Australian racing season, the Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m) at Flemington.
Following a disrupted Brisbane winter campaign, Gollan opted to give the gelding a spell after the Eye Liner Stakes before sending him to Ciaron Maher’s Cranbourne stable to prepare for a tilt down the famous Flemington straight.
This astute move saw Boomtown Boss ($13) deliver a determined performance to narrowly defeat Royal Insignia ($8.50), with Arkansaw Kid securing the third position.
Gollan indicated that the spacious Flemington circuit was always likely to suit the gelding’s running style.
“He profiles as a horse who loves big tracks and a lot of room so I felt that for a little while he would make a nice straight horse,” Gollan said.
“During his winter prep, he was going nowhere and when I zigged I should have zagged, everything was going wrong.”
“I knew this race was on the cards so I backed off him (after the Eye Liner Stakes) and sent him to Ciaron’s (Maher) at Cranbourne to really settle him in.”
“I thought the trip away, and with straight racing, I thought it would suit him and through the race he was travelling alright.”
There was late drama prior to the race when the initial favourite, War Machine, was scratched after breaking through the starting barriers. Further controversy emerged post-race, as the connections of Royal Insignia lodged a protest against winning rider Daniel Moor, alleging excessive whip use.
Stewards acknowledged the excessive use of the whip but ruled it was not sufficient to impact the outcome, allowing Boomtown Boss to retain the win by a neck.
Moor admitted that the gelding was still adapting to the demands of straight-track racing.
“He came here a bit unknown down the straight and he did wander about a bit and change legs a lot, but you just know that when you’re on a Tony Gollan horse that they are well prepared,” Moor commented.
This victory marks Gollan’s second triumph in the Aurie’s Star Handicap, with Temple Of Boom having previously won the race in 2011.
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