By Isaac Murphy
Capital Connection was strongly backed after an impressive first up run behind the in form Meet Mr Taylor and with the benefit of a cosy gate and ripping ride the lightly raced five-year-old strolled in for Tony Gollan in the 1000 metre Handicap.
Gollan said he got together with jockey Jeff Lloyd pre-race hoping to sit much closer to the speed this week and the rest was history.
“He had the benefit of one ride behind him, we wanted to put him right behind the speed and were able to do that today from a good gate, it was really easy to watch everything we spoke about before the race went as planned,” Gollan said.
“A good gate is really important the 1000 metre start at Eagle Farm and Jeff (Lloyd) made good use of it.”
“I could see he was travelling like the winner from a long way out and it was just terrific to see when he got him to the outside on a big track he just waited on him and let him go and we got to see his turn of foot.”
Having raced up to 1350 metres last prep Gollan said the stable was going to make a concerted effort to not stretch him in distance this time round.
“I wasn’t worried having another go at the 1000 metres second up today, he was brilliant fresh and had the long straight to ease into it today,” Gollan said.
“We stretched him to the 1350 metres last prep, which was probably a little too far for him.”
“We’ll be looking at keeping his races a little shorter and more spaced this time round.”
Gollan said the gelding had been devoid of luck up to this point of his career and was looking to cash in on his current form.
“He’s run into some really handy horses at the peak of their powers, so it’s probably his time now to put a few wins together and get in the right grade,” he said.
Lloyd re-iterated Gollan’s thoughts that it was essential for the horse to be closer to the speed.
“The barrier really helped jumping straight to the turn we were able to hold our spot,” he said.
“I was just able to ease him into the race with the wide straight and he let down nicely.”
‘If his first two runs this prep are anything to go by he’s got plenty of wins in front of him.”