Temple Of Boom has been making a name for himself as a straight track specialist
He’s fast making a name for himself as a straight track specialist and with a win in the Salinger Stakes this weekend Temple Of Boom could well confirm that title.
It’s a strategy specifically picked out by Tony Gollan as he restricts his charger to only the famous straight six at Flemington for the entirety of his spring campaign.
He had his first go at it on August 6th winning the Aurie’s Star Handicap after a short freshen up following the Grafton Cup.
After that he had nearly a full month off before returning to the straight for the Bobbie Lewis Quality where he finished 6th.
Not to be forgotten though after another four week break it was the straight six again, this time winning the Gilgai Stakes.
True to form it will be nearly another four weeks coming into the Salinger Stakes this weekend and Gollan is hoping for another winning result.
“He’s enjoying it down here and there’s no reason he won’t run well on Saturday,” he said.
Temple Of Boom is second top weight at 56.5kgs however that’s the same weight he carried to victory last start.
“With the prep he’s had he’s earned that weight,” Gollan said.
The decision was made early on to take corners out of the equation this preparation and it’s worked well in keeping the horse fresh.
“We’ve just kept him to the straight down here in Melbourne,” Gollan said.
“As it’s panned out they’ve all been four weeks apart.”
It will be business as usual in terms of riding tactics with James McDonald to switch him off early before unleashing a big sprint late.
“As long as he can get a bit of cover he’s got a great turn of foot at the end there,” he said.
“He’s a terrific young rider (McDonald)…he’s rode this horse well, even when he got beat it was no fault of James.”
Gollan says he expects Temple Of Boom to be put in the paddock after this run, unless he does something brilliant to warrant an overseas tilt.
“This is the end…we did inoculate just in case he wins for Hong Kong or something like that, but all eyes on the prize this weekend,” he said.
