Trainer Tony Gollan will have good news for Michael Rodd when the jockey returns from Singapore to partner Temple Of Boom in Saturday’s Group I Doomben 10,000.
Rodd will replace Tegan Harrison aboard the eight-year-old, who was part of history when he finished second to his half-brother Spirit Of Boom in last year’s edition of the feature sprint.
Temple Of Boom has been unplaced in his two runs back from a hamstring injury that prevented him from appearing in the autumn but Gollan told RSN circumstances, particularly Brisbane’s recent wet weather, went against the veteran early in his campaign.
Gollan said Temple Of Boom’s work on Tuesday morning left him confident the winner of $1.8 million in stakes would again figure in the finish of a Doomben 10,000.
“It took a few runs, because he’s a bit older, to get his fitness back up and his work this morning indicates he’s right back on track,” Gollan said.
“His work this morning was really sharp and his recovery was just super today. It’s the best he’s recovered from a gallop and the sharpest he’s been.
“Now he’s had the two runs, he’s really in tip-top shape for Saturday.”
Like most trainers involved in the race, Gollan said his confidence would increase if his charge drew well but the he noted the 2015 Doomben 10,000 shaped as an even contest.
“I don’t think there’s any real standout in the race, they’re a fairly even bunch of horses as it was shown the other day in the BTC Cup,” he said.
“He’s fit enough to win on Saturday and have a slight benefit heading to the Stradbroke (Handicap).”
Gollan said his other Doomben 10,000 entry Alma’s Fury would not contest the weight-for-age event but would run in the Group III Lord Mayor’s Cup over 1600m.
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Brad Waters