Gollan Dominates Lough Neagh Stakes Field

The 2015 Lough Neagh Stakes field has been released and leading Brisbane trainer Tony Gollan is set to have Temple Of Boom, Fontelina, Brave Ali and Gundy Spirit in the Listed event at Doomben on Saturday.

Temple Of Boom is one of four Tony Gollan-trained horses in the 2015 Lough Neagh Stakes field. Photo by: Steve Hart

Temple Of Boom is one of four Tony Gollan-trained horses in the 2015 Lough Neagh Stakes field. Photo by: Steve Hart

Temple Of Boom will carry the top weight of 59.5 kilograms with Tegan Harrison on his back and he will need to improve on his seventh place finish in the Group 3 George Moore Stakes (1200m) at Doomben on November 28 to be any chance in the Lough Neagh Stakes, while Fontelina will carry 58.5 kilograms following his third place finish in the same race.

Brave Ali has not been seen at the races since he finished third in the Careers Australia Handicap (2200m) at this same meeting a year ago, but he will return for his third racing preparation under the care of Gollan.

The veteran gelding has not recorded a race win since he took out the 2014 edition of the Listed Ipswich Cup (2150m) and will likely take plenty of benefit from the, but he normally produces a strong effort fresh.

The Gollan foursome in the 2015 Lough Neagh Stakes field is rounded out by Gundy Spirit, who has performed well without winning in three race starts this preparation.

Gundy Spirit was not suited by the pace in the Aitkenvale Health Centre Handicap (1110m) at Doomben on October 31, but he produced a much improved effort when fourth in the Listed Keith Noud Quality (1200m) at Doomben on November 14 and he finished second behind Didntcostalot in the George Moore Stakes.

The only other trainer with multiple horses in the Lough Neagh Stakes field is Pat Duff, who has included both Steel Zip and Abu Ben Adam in the entries.

Steel Zip finished a lengthy winter campaign with three race wins from his past four starts and he returned to the races with a narrow win in the Keith Noud Handicap, while failed to fire in the Matthews Builders Handicap (1350m) at Doomben on November 28.

One of the most interesting horses in the 2015 Lough Neagh Stakes field is Peter Moody-trained Weinholt, who will return to Queensland racing for the first time since he finished sixth behind Sweet Idea in the Magic Millions Guineas (1400m) in 2014.

Weinholt has been plagued by inconsistency throughout his racing career, but he will take winning form into the Lough Neagh Stakes following his impressive victory in the City Of Ballarat Tonks Plate (1200m) on November 21.

The 2015 Lough Neagh Stakes field is rounded out by Gerald Ryan-trained Peace Force, last start winner Saluter, PJ Bell Stakes winner Miss Cover Girl and Danny Bougoure-trained Anna Lizzie.

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Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.