Temple Of Boom At Peak For Doomben 10,000

Trainer Tony Gollan is confident that he finally has veteran sprinter Temple Of Boom at peak fitness ahead of the 2015 Doomben 10,000 in Brisbane this weekend.

Temple Of Boom has the chance to record a second win at Group 1 level this weekend. Photo by: Steve Hart

Temple Of Boom has the chance to record a second win at Group 1 level this weekend. Photo by: Steve Hart

Gollan has said from the start of Temple Of Boom’s autumn campaign that he has struggled to build up the fitness levels of the eight-year-old and that lack of fitness told in the final stages of both the Group 2 Victory Stakes (1200m) at the Gold Coast on April 25 and the Group 1 BTC Cup (1200m) at Doomben on May 9 – despite Temple Of Boom producing competitive performances in both.

The leading Brisbane trainer told Racing Ahead this morning that Temple Of Boom had trained on strongly coming out of the BTC Cup and he believes that the Piccolo gelding deserves to be rated amongst the leading chances in the Doomben 10,000.

“I am really happy with him now,” Gollan said.

“I wasn’t happy with him heading into the prep because I was just struggling to get him fit up here, but now that he has had the two runs he is really in top shape for Saturday.

“His work this morning indicates that he is right back on track.

“I just thought on his second-up run that I knew he had improved sharply on his work and the way the he ran after being caught three deep the trip, he really put himself in the finish.

“He just blew out in the last 50 metres and that was probably where he was at off a tough run, but he has come through that run really well, he looks better again and his work this morning was sharp.

“I will be as confident as anybody in the race if we can draw a good barrier because I don’t think there is any real standout in the race and they are a fairly even bunch of horses.”

Tegan Harrison has developed a strong relationship with Temple Of Boom since she steered him to victory in the Group 2 Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm during the 2014 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival, but Michael Rodd is set to return from Singapore to take the ride in the Doomben 10,000.

Rodd has never previously ridden Temple Of Boom, but he won the Doomben 10,000 on his half-brother Spirit Of Boom last year and Gollan is hoping that Rodd will be able to stick with the veteran sprinter for the rest of his winter preparation.

“Michael Rodd will ride him on Saturday,” Gollan said.

“He is back for 10,000 and Stradbroke Day and at this stage Michael will ride him and will probably stick if his form warrants.”

Temple Of Boom is currently available at 2015 Doomben 10,000 odds of $17, while Srikandi ($5.50) and Our Boy Malachi ($5.50) remain locked in a battle for favouritism.

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.