Patience pays off as Isotope debuts in style

Premier Brisbane trainer Tony Gollan is set to unleash well-bred filly Isotope in the new-look Racing Queensland winter racing schedule.

The debutant filly Isotope opened up to win by an easy 10 lengths in Saturday’s Lexus Two-Year-Old Plate (1110m) after punters sent her out at $1.75.

It was her first race following two trial runs at Doomben.

Jockey Baylee Nothdurft continued his dominance in Queensland racing by setting a comfortable speed in the filly’s maiden event on Saturday and eventually came away with the win to take Gollan out to $170,000 for Isotope.

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Isotope bolted in by 10 lengths on her debut at Doomben. Picture: AAPSource:AAP

With the Brisbane Winter Carnival benched, Gollan now has his eyes set on the new look program announced on Friday.

Gollan congratulated RQ’s decision to host a series of black-type races over a six-week period through May and June.

The leading Queensland trainer admitted Isotope may even go up a length.

“(We) had to be patient with her,” Gollan said.

“She just wasn’t physically there before Christmas and I’ve given her a bit more time.

“She’s come back a beautiful filly. She’s very relaxed and takes everything in her stride. Every time we’ve asked her to do something, she’s done it well.

“I know the trial mightn’t have looked as good as it was but she’s a lot better than what we saw in the trials.

Isotope absolutely brains them in R1 at Doomben 😱 @tonygollan @RaceQLD pic.twitter.com/ypF3ZEuhKs

“She’s a lot closer to what you saw today.

“If she gets out further, she’ll get better.”

Isotope was earmarked for this year’s Magic Millions Classic but the decision to sit her out is set to pay dividends for the Gollan stable.

Gollan had initially planned to race Isotope during this year’s Winter Carnival and is now planning to make the most of RQ’s revised list of winter races.

“She’s goes into that carnival for sure,” Gollan said.

“She’s always been earmarked for a carnival filly for me since before Christmas so it’s good that there’s now a carnival on.

Isotope was a mile too good for her opposition at Doomben. Picture: AAPSource:AAP

“We can start sending her towards them races.

“I’d have no hesitation in stepping her out towards the 1400 either.

“There’s plenty of options for her coming up.”

The Gollan stable went on to win two races on the card, with Shalwa also winning the Tab Plate (1350m). The win took the mare to his third win from his past four starts.

“She’s absolutely loving it,” Gollan said. “You just see, she’s not a really big filly but she’s got a beautiful big action, very economic. She can use that stride and she can give a great kick so she’s a real revelation out at a distance.”

Heatcote supports revised carnival plan

Trainers have congratulated Racing Queensland for coming up with a revised list of feature races in lieu of the scrapped Winter Carnival.

RQ announced on Friday that a limited black-type racing program will be held over a six-week period through next month and June.

It comes after commentary erupted through the week around the issue of prizemoney throughout the five restriction zones set up across Queensland to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

Trainer Robert Heathcote applauded the governing body for making it happen.

“It’s wonderful,” Heathcote said. “Congratulations to all involved for making that happen.”

Trainer Robert Heathcote praised Racing Queensland for its revised winter carnival program. Picture: AAPSource:AAP

In a deja vu of last month’s TAB QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap at Doomben, Heathcote’s filly Minjee pipped the Tony Gollan-trained Snappy Reply ($2.80) right on the line yesterday.

“That was a crazy race,” said Heathcote. “The tale is in the time.

“They went out in 34 and came home in 36.”

Heathcote had earmarked a stakes race for Minjee next month and had even compared her ability to star stablemate Rothfire.

Despite the continuing racing and program changes because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Heathcote was confident Minjee had a bright future.

“I would think even a race like the two-year-old 1400m at Eagle Farm,” he said. “With her finishing sprint like that, I think she’s got a very, very nice future.”

Heathcote had two winners at Doomben, with Fasano taking out the final race of the day.

Jockey Robbie Fradd was all smiles after Fasano’s win at Doomben. Picture: AAPSource:AAP

Fasano justified his odds-on quote and gave punters a thrilling win to watch, making it two on end.

Eagle Farm trainer Chris Munce’s gelding Stampe seems set to also have a crack at the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap, which will be part of RQ’s revised winter racing list, after his win at Doomben.

The win takes Stampe to two wins and three placings from his past five starts.

Former top three-year-old Mishani Hustler also came back from a long spell to win the Racecourse Village Handicap (1200m) and continue his Doomben 1200m dominance.

He led the entire race to go five wins from his past six starts at Doomben over the same distance when he beat Baccarat Baby by a head.

Originally published asPatience pays off as Isotope debuts in style

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