Tony Gollan filly Formula Rossa makes late winter carnival return in Bruce McLachlan Classic QTIS 2YO Handicap at Sunshine Coast
The two-year-old filly didn't beat a runner home in the Magic Millions in January when she finished almost 19 lengths off the winner O'Ole in the $3m scamper.
Gollan believes she is far better than that and had simply come to the end of her campaign, opting to give filly who cost $340,000 as a yearling a long break rather than bring her back for prime-time winter carnival action.
She will be back at the races for the last meeting of the winter carnival when resuming in the Bruce McLachlan Classic QTIS 2YO Handicap (1000m) at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.
There has been some betting support and she is a $10 chance to resume a winner.
'I'm happy with her, she has run well at this track and trip before,' Gollan said.
'She had just come to the end of Christmas campaign in the Magic Millions.
'So I just gave her a good break, I wasn't interested in the early part of the winter with her as I just wanted to take my time with her.
'This is the right sort of time to kick her off.
'She is a nice enough filly, she is still furnishing.
'I think she will have a light sort of preparation this time, with a view towards the summer carnival.'
Gollan will also have fast filly Lucky Lass ($15) in the same race and said her racing pattern could be her best attribute.
The champion trainer has a big team of runners on the Sunshine Coast, including Felix The Scat who is a $15 chance in the $300,000 Caloundra Cup (2400m).
Felix The Scat went for home and looked the winner in the Ipswich Cup, only to be nabbed in the final strides by roughie Flash Aah who will also now contest the Caloundra Cup.
'He probably got there a bit early the other day and he just sort of waited for that other horse to get to him,' Gollan said.
'But I thought his run was easily as good as the other two placegetters.
'It's just a matter of whether that is the right form or whether there is other form that is the right form.
'But Felix is probably at the top of his powers this weekend.'
Meanwhile, punters who know Gollan has a happy habit of getting the best out of new acquisitions to his stable should keep a watch on Sunset Dreaming who is a $19 chance in the Listed Glasshouse Handicap (1400m).
The former Tony and Calvin McEvoy trained mare will be having her second run for Gollan, having finished sixth behind Kin in the Gai Waterhouse Classic where she was beaten just over two lengths.
'I haven't had her long, but I do like her and I think she has made good headway,' Gollan said.
'She was really good in the Gai Waterhouse Classic and she should be better this weekend.
'The 1400 (m) will suit her better but the only negative is that this is a better race.
'She is a knockabout chance with a light weight on her back.
'I would love to see what she does in the next 12 months, she is destined to win Stakes races.'
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