Hvasstan The Pick Of Gollan’s Premier’s Cup Chances

Tony Gollan has both Hvasstan and Hi Son in the 2015 Premier’s Cup field, but he believes that Hvasstan is clearly his best chance in the Group 3 event at Doomben tomorrow.

Hi Son is one of two Chris Waller-trained gallopers in the 2015 Premier's Cup field. Photo by: Daniel Costello

Hi Son is one of two Chris Waller-trained gallopers in the 2015 Premier’s Cup field. Photo by: Daniel Costello

Hvasstan joined the Gollan stable ahead of his winter campaign after having 31 starts under the care of Peter Gelagotis and he made his debut for his new stable with a sixth place finish behind Write Creek in the Cascade Handicap (1350m) at Doomben on April 18 before he hit the line strongly to finish fourth behind Bewhatyouwannabe in the Listed Member’s Handicap (1600m) at Doomben on May 9.

Gollan said that he has been very happy with Hvasstan since he joined his Eagle Farm-based stable and he is confident that the Fastnet Rock entire can record his first race win since he took out the Drummond Golf Handicap (2040m) at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate Day in 2013.

“Hvasstan is probably our premier chance in the race,” Gollan said.

“He has had two runs for the stable, they have both been really good, he has drawn the one alley and he has a good rider in Tommy Berry with a light weight and I expect him to be right in the finish of this race on the weekend.”

Hi Son produced credible performances in the Listed Logic Tails Stakes (1630m) at Doomben on April 11 and the Group 3 Chairman’s Handicap (2200m) at the Gold Coast on April 26, but he produced one of the worst performances of his career to date when he finished tenth behind Pornichet in the Toowoomba Cup (2150m) on May 2.

Gollan said that Hi Son clearly did not handle the wet track in the Toowoomba Cup, but he is hopeful that the Husson gelding can return to his best form on a drier track in the Premier’s Cup this weekend.

“Hi Son is three weeks between runs now and he was very disappointing last start in Toowoomba on the soft track,” Gollan said.

“He certainly wants a drier track on the weekend, but he has done really well with the break between runs and I expect him to bounce back to his best at Doomben.

“He has a good alley, but he definitely needs some cover and a dry track.”

Hvasstan is currently available at 2015 Premier’s Cup odds of $5 with Ladbrokes, while Hi Son has drifted out to a quote of $9.50.

About The Author

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.