Tom Dougall moves on from Go Wandji setback

By Glenn Davis

Tom Dougall has moved on since losing star sprinter Go Wandji for the rich Queensland winter and is hopeful of training a winner at Toowoomba on Saturday night.

Dougall will saddle up two starters at Clifford Park with Relicta lining up in the 0-58 Handicap over 1200 metres and Incomparable in the Benchmark 65 Handicap over 1100 metres.

Jockey Karl Zechner has been booked for both.

Relicta was a former barrier rogue but Dougall has managed to turn his fortunes around with placings at his past four starts including his latest when third over 1000 metres at Toowoomba on February 4.

“Relicta is racing well and it looks a suitable race for him,” Dougall said.

“His owner lives in China and he originally came from Victoria where they had a bit of barrier trouble with him.

“He never raced down there and he’s beautiful in the barriers now.

“If they were all as easy to fix as him, we’d be right.

“He got to the line well last start but it was a bit short for him so the 1200 metres should suit him.”

Incomparable is coming off a last start third to the Paul Butterworth-trained Hamilton Hill at Toowoomba on February 4.

“He raced good last start but his chances are a bit speed orientated,” the trainer said.

“If they go fast, he’s a good chance but if they go slow, he’s no hope.”

Meanwhile, stable star Go Wandji underwent a successful throat operation following his last start second to Tumbler Ridge at Doomben in August.

The five-year-old earned a long spell after winning eight of his first 12 starts but Dougall ruled him out of the recent Queensland summer carnival.

He was being targeted for the rich winter sprints which hopefully would have included the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm in June.

“We’ve just had a bit of a hiccup with him so we’re sitting on our hands for a couple of months and we’ll wait and see what develops,” Dougall said.

“He had a throat operation but that’s not the problem with him.

“The vets still don’t know what the problem is exactly so we’ll just have to wait a while.”