Veteran sprinter Temple Of Boom has returned to the stable of Tony Gollan to begin preparations for his 2014 Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival campaign.

Temple Of Boom recorded his first race win in over two years when he took out the Victory Stakes in April. Photo by: Daniel Costello

Temple Of Boom failed to fire during his three race starts during the 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival, finishing sixth in both the Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) and Group 3 Sebring Stakes (1200m), but he returned to his best form during the 2014 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival with a string of impressive performances.

The Piccolo gelding upstaged half-brother Spirit Of Boom and Snitzerland to win the Group 2 Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on April 26 and hit the line strongly to finish fourth in the Group 1 BTC Cup (1200m) at Doomben on May 10.

Temple Of Boom was narrowly denied a second Group 1 victory by Spirit Of Boom in the Doomben 10,000 (1350m) on May 24 and looked as though he had the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) won at the 100 metre mark, but was caught in the final stages of the race by River Lad.

The rising eight-year-old was only given a small stint in the spelling paddock before he started pre-training, but trainer Tony Gollan told Sky Racing HQ this morning that his star sprinter looks in excellent condition heading into his spring preparation.

“It was only a short break for him and he was back into pre-training up in Toowoomba with my Dad,” Gollan said.

“He came down to me yesterday and he looked an absolute picture.

“He is off to Melbourne a little bit later for the spring.”

Gollan is yet to reveal what path Temple Of Boom will follow during the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival, but he confirmed that the popular gelding would head to Melbourne in September along with stablemates Looks Like The Cat, Alma’s Fury and Traveston Girl.

All four are expected to begin their campaigns at Flemington on September 13; with the Group 3 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) on the agenda for both Temple Of Boom and Alma’s Fury, while Looks Like The Cat could contest the Listed Henry Bucks Best Dressed   (1400m).

“It is a very busy period in the spring, but I would certainly be disappointed if I wasn’t going away to these Carnivals,” Gollan said.

“All these horses are racing well enough to be competitive down there and hopefully we can get some Southern spoils.”