By Glenn Davis
Trainer Tony Gollan is hopeful a decision not to send talented sprinter Krone to the breeding barn will be vindicated when the mare makes her comeback in the Listed Keith Noud at Doomben on Saturday.
Krone won the Listed Glasshouse Handicap at her last appearance at the Sunshine Coast in July and will launch her Magic Millions campaign in the 1200-metre feature.
Her Glasshouse victory was only her third win in 20 starts and confirmed her owner’s decision to withdraw her from the National Broodmare sale at the Gold Coast in June and race her for another season.
Krone was formerly trained in Melbourne by Mick Price and was sent to Gollan to win black-type ahead of a stud career.
Krone’s record has been deceptive with only three wins so far but she has raced in Group company most of her career with Kent and her previous trainer Darren Weir.
Gollan is disappointed with Krone’s wide barrier 13 but is pleased with her progress since winning a barrier trial at Eagle Farm on November 2.
“She’ll race well but from her barrier we’ll have to ride her quiet,” Gollan said.
“She’s in good order but she’d be better suited off a better draw.
“She’ll have her next run in a fillies and mare’s race in two weeks and her ultimate aim is the Magic Millions Fillies and Mares race.”
Gollan had several of his top mares go through the National Broodmare sale but was relieved when Krone’s owners decided to race her for another season.
The daughter of Eurozone has won at Listed level twice and was placed in the Group 3 Thoroughbred
Breeders at Flemington and the Group 3 Breeders Stakes at Morphettville in 2018.
She later finished second in the Group 2 Manifold Stakes at Flemington the same year and third in the Group 3 Fred Best Classic at Eagle Farm in 2019.
Despite her impressive record Krone sneaks into the Keith Noud half a kilogram above the minimum due to the quality conditions which sees Niccanova allotted topweight with 60kgs.
Krone will be joined in the Keith Noud by stablemates Jonker, barrier 15, and MacEwen, who drew gate 12.
“Jonker is coming along well and we’ll have to be positive on him from his bad gate,” he said.
“He’ll run well if he gets some luck and I’d like to run him second-up in the George Moore.”
The Group 3 George Moore Stakes will be run over 1200 metres at Doomben on December 5.