By Glenn Davis
Premier trainer Tony Gollan will delay confirming starts for Country Cocktail and Niedorp - the two most expensive fillies in the opening metropolitan two-year-old race of the season at Doomben on Saturday.
Gollan, who also has Ef Troop entered for the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes at Randwick, was disappointed when the pair drew poorly in barriers 11 and 12 respectively in the 1050-metre dash.
“They’ve got a visitor’s draw and I train at Eagle Farm,” a perplexed Gollan said.
“Everyone knows how difficult it is to win from wide draws at that start at Doomben.
“There’s also a forecast for some rain on Saturday so I’m not going to make up my mind if they run or not until at least Friday afternoon or Saturday morning.
“If they both run I wouldn’t be able to separate them as they’re both going well.”
Country Cocktail is the early $2.30 favourite in UBET markets with Niedorp on the second line at $2.50.
Niedorp, a daughter of Not A Single Doubt, was a $270,000 buy at the Magic Millions sales and ran the faster time of the pair when they both won their official barrier trials at Doomben last month.
Niedorp clocked 49.94 seconds when she strolled home by five lengths in her trial win while Snitzel filly Country Cocktail, a $450,000 buy, stopped the clock at 50.71 seconds in her four-length trial win.
“They are both Magic Millions fillies and will be aimed for the big race in January if all goes well,” Gollan said.
“But they’ve still got to show they are good enough.
“They’re both very sound and forward but it’s too hard to separate them at this stage.
“Niedorp ran the faster time in their trials but she doesn’t have the gate speed of Country Cocktail.
“They’re both impressive fillies who are ready to run but their barriers make it difficult what to do.”
Gollan also is watching the weather in Sydney with Ef Troop in the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes at Randwick.
Ef Troop is coming off his last start failure in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200) at Flemington last month.
Ef Troop was sent south following his first-up second at Doomben on August 11 and later won a barrier trial at Rosehill before heading to Melbourne.
“It will depend on the weather if he runs or not. They’re also tipping rain and I don’t want to run if the track is too wet,” Gollan said.
“Things didn’t pan out for him in Melbourne but he’s done terrific since he’s been back in Sydney.
“His biggest asset is his speed so I want him to use it in this race.
“There’s a lot of options for him after the Roman Consul but it’s up to his owners.
“He could stay on for more spring races or he could come home and freshen up for our summer carnival.”
Racing Queensland webnews October 4