Niedorp stakes claim for shot at winter glory

Premier Brisbane trainer Tony Gollan is setting his sights on the revised winter carnival following a successful day at Doomben, finishing with three winners and four placings.

Niedorp and Garibaldi combined for one-two punch for Gollan in the Lexus Class Three Plate (1100m) taking first and second place respectively. The filly Niedorp continues to live up to her superior rating — backing up her win at Doomben a fortnight ago.

She opened up to win by nearly two lengths after punters sent her out a $1.30 chance.

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Tony Gollan’s stable had plenty of success at Doomben on Saturday. Picture: AAPSource:AAP

Gollan is yet to make a decision on the next step for Niedorp but hinted that she would feature prominently in the upcoming winter races.

“Niedorp, not sure what to do with her now,” Gollan said. “There’s a carnival not far away.

“I don’t want to go in too many runs before we get into it.

“The way she’s racing now, I’m keen to get to 1200m but it mightn’t be in two weeks.

[email protected] and @bnothdurft14 bring up a treble at Doomben with the well-backed Niedorp saluting in R6 pic.twitter.com/xzOu8Lmr0u

“We might just wait now and maybe go for the Silk Stocking (at the Gold Coast next month) or something like that.”

Stablemate Garibaldi also impressed in his comeback. Garibaldi is coming back from a leg injury which ended his Melbourne spring campaign last October.

Gollan said he was planning on taking him out to 1200m in a fortnights’ time in preparation for a possible winter campaign.

“Garibaldi will certainly go out in distance,” he said. “He was really good. He had a really forgettable spring. He was good late and he’ll go to a 1200m in a fortnight.”

Baylee Nothdurft steers Niedorp to victory at Doomben. Picture: AAPSource:AAP

The Gollan stable had plenty of success on Saturday, with filly Starosa scoring a strong win in the QTIS 2YO (1350m).

Starosa ($12) was sitting second for most of the race before she took off in the straight and holding on to beat the favourite Tumbler Ridge ($1.95).

Gollan had planned to race the filly at Ipswich on Sunday but elected to race her at Doomben – a decision which has paid dividends for her owners.

Promising three-year-old Angus the Black ($1.65) backed up Starosa’s win, taking out the TAB QTIS Three-Years-Old Maiden Plate (1350m).

Angus The Black full of running as he bolts in by 4 lengths at Doomben 🐎🌬️ @tonygollan @RaceQLD pic.twitter.com/HnDZVa0x6G

Gollan was unlucky to claim another win in the ROKU GIN QTIS Three-Years-Old Handicap when his favourite The Move ($1.60) was beaten by Bold Style ($7).

Bold Style’s trainer Garnett Taylor said he was happy with the gelding’s form since undergoing a knee operation last year.

“He’s only been lightly raced, six starts,” Taylor said. “He had a knee op. I brought him here today and I knew it was going to be a bit tough but Mark (Du Plessis) seemed to ride him pretty well. He’s honest and a good little horse.”

Bold Style upstaged the hot favourite The Move to win at Doomben. Picture: AAPSource:AAP

SABKHAT TURNS BACK THE CLOCK

Sabkhat proved age is no barrier after notching up his 10th win at Doomben.

The nine-year-old gelding clinched the Bernborough Ascot Open Handicap (1640m), prevailing in a photo ahead of Magnufighter ($4.20) and Get Stuck In ($1.65).

It continues Sabkhat’s love affair at the Doomben track, where from his past eight starts he has won four times and placed at his other runs. Trainer Steven O’Dea revealed he had changed up the gelding’s training to keep him interested.

“He’s a lovely old horse (and) a little bit quirky,” O’Dea said. “We try to mix things up with him at home, a little bit of jumping and it was great to get a result today.

“The jumping and some of the other things we do with him just keeps him interested as an older horse. Getting back in the winners’ circle today will certainly keep his mind on the job as well.”

Sabkhat was back in the winners’ circle at Doomben. Picture: AAPSource:AAP

It was also a successful day for former Sydney Swans boss Ron Thomas, who tasted success when City Smart won the opening race.

Given the run of the race by jockey Jake Bayliss, City Smart ($2.70) beat Phoenix Raider ($14) in the Help A Neighbour Plate (1650m).

Thomas is a former general manager of the Sydney Swans AFL team and he also played with Richmond. He and his wife Kim race City Smart under their Balmoral Lodge property in Macedon in Victoria.

Trainer Robert Heathcote said City Smart should have been in the winners’ circle earlier in his career.

“He hasn’t had a lot of luck and last time he got caught on the wrong part of the track at Caloundra when he had 60kg,” Heathcote said. “I might try him over a bit more ground now he has broken through.”

with AAP

Originally published asNiedorp stakes claim for shot at winter glory

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