Victory Stakes 2015: Temple Of Boom Could Be Short Of A Run

Temple Of Boom will return to racing in the 2015 Victory Stakes tomorrow, but trainer Tony Gollan is concerned that the veteran sprinter could be short of a run heading into the Group 2 event at the Gold Coast tomorrow.

Temple Of Boom has the chance to record back-to-back wins in the 2015 Victory Stakes at the Gold Coast on Saturday. Photo by: Daniel Costello

Temple Of Boom has the chance to record back-to-back wins in the 2015 Victory Stakes at the Gold Coast on Saturday. Photo by: Daniel Costello

Temple Of Boom upset half-brother Spirit Of Boom and Group 1 winning mare Snitzerland to win the Victory Stakes last year, but he had three race starts in Sydney heading into the race.

Gollan told RSN that Temple Of Boom had performed fairly in two barrier trials heading into the Victory Stakes, but he said that he would feel better about the Piccolo gelding’s chances in the race, if he had already had a race start this preparation.

“He is coming off a slightly different prep,” Gollan said,

“Last year he went to Sydney, he had a couple of runs down there and we brought him back.

“We were able to give him a week out at the pool and he did had a slightly different prep, so he did have a bit more fitness under his belt going into the Victory Stakes.

“This year I wish he had that fitness level there because he has had a long time off.

“I gave him two jump-outs and I really wanted to give him three because as they get older they don’t get any easier to get fitter.

“I am a touch worried that I am a little bit short of a run with him.”

Alma’s Fury will be returning to the races for the first time since he finished 11th behind Elite Belle in the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot on November 22 and Gollan believes that the Refuse To Bend gelding will also take plenty of benefit from the run.

Gollan is confident that the seven-year-old will get a lovely track into the race towards the tail of the Victory Stakes field, but he thinks that the veteran galloper will not be able to return to winning form until he steps up in trip.

“He definitely profiles better out to the 1400, but he should run well,” Gollan said.

“He will sit back off what should be a very strong pace in the Victory Stakes, but I am looking to him when he gets to 1400 with a run under his belt.”

Temple Of Boom is currently available at 2015 Victory Stakes odds of $6 with Ladbrokes, while Alma’s Fury is priced at the lengthy quote of $26.

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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.