Gollan won the race 12 months ago with I’m A Rippa (I Am Invincible), who will defend his crown, while Natch (NZ) (Thorn Park) completes his assault on the feature, but it's Outback Barbie and rider Jim Byrne he is most relying on.
“She’s my best chance out of the three, with no disrespect to the other two. She’s a 4-year-old on the way up and she’s in great shape,” Gollan said.
“She’s drawn a bit awkwardly here, but there will be good speed on and that will play into her hands a touch. If she can find a spot the back of that speed in midfield with a little bit of cover that would be nice and that’s Jimmy’s challenge.”
Outback Barbie gained an overdue victory at the first time of asking this preparation when she came off two trial successes to claim top honours in the Listed Keith Noud Quality.
“She’s responded well since then. She hadn’t won in a year so that will give her good confidence,” Gollan said. “She should run very well and she races well on the track.”
“She hadn’t won or a year so that will give her good confidence.” – Tony Gollan
Safely through Saturday, Outback Barbie will head to Eagle Farm in a fortnight to make her next appearance.
“She’ll go to that new race The Gateway for 4-year-olds over 1400 metres and will then go a month into the Magic Millions,” Gollan said. “She likes her races spaced.
“The Gateway will be a tough race and it’s also ballot free for the Stradbroke next year so I’d love her to win that.”
Outback Barbie as a yearling
Millionaire galloper I’m A Rippa opened his summer campaign with a third placing behind his barn mate in the Keith Noud.
“He’s improved significantly second-up and he’ll bounce out and be handy. There will be a fair bit of pressure from out wide, but he’s a tough horse and good horses absorb pressure and kick off it,” Gollan said.
“There will be a fair bit of pressure from out wide, but he’s a tough horse and good horses absorb pressure and kick off it.” – Tony Gollan
“I’m really happy with him and you’ll see sharp improvement. He also gets a kilo in weight relief.”
All roads also lead to the Magic Millions for I’m A Ripper, who’s been there and done that successfully in the past.
“He won the QTIS race two years ago and unfortunately had an eye ulcer and didn’t get there last year,” he said. “We’ll probably head to Eagle Farm post this race and have a run or two. I’ll just play that by ear.
“He had a pretty forgettable winter prep and didn’t really fire there so we’re hoping it will be different in the summer.”
Jake Bayliss retains the ride on I’m A Rippa while Baylee Nothdurft will be aboard Natch, who was out of the money when he resumed at the Sunshine Coast and he has a couple of second-up wins to his credit.
“He’ll run well and this will bring him on for a Listed race in three weeks’ time over the same distance at Eagle Farm,” Gollan said.
