By Glenn Davis
The barrier draw wasn’t kind to Tony Gollan but the champion trainer remains hopeful of adding his name to the Sunshine Coast Cup honour roll for a second time on Saturday.
Gollan will launch a two-pronged attack with Macewen and Tokoriki Lad in the 1400-metre Listed feature which he won with Most Important in 2018.
In the short 14-year history of the Sunshine Coast Cup only one trainer - Steve O’Dea - has won the race twice.
O’Dea’s former top sprinter Sir Moments was successful in 2017 before last year’s winner Scallopini.
Gollan’s hopes of claiming his second Sunshine Coast Cup suffered a minor setback when Macewen drew barrier 12 while Tokoriki Lad fared worse in gate 14.
Macewen and Tokoriki Lad are both coming off last start defeats in the Magic Millions QTIS race won by the Kelly Schweida-trained The Odyssey at the Gold Coast on January 12.
Macewen was an impressive winner at his previous start at Eagle Farm but disappointed in the Magic Millions feature tailing off last.
Tokoriki Lad produced an eye-catching run to be beaten less than two lengths with a fast finishing fifth.
“There’s not much between them and I actually preferred Macewen over Tokoriki Lad in the Magic Millions race,” Gollan said.
“But Macewen didn’t have any luck and was caught three wide with no cover while Tokoriki Lad ran a great race in the Magic Millions.
“If he had drawn better I think he would have tested the winner.
“I think the tempo on Saturday will play a big part and the barriers hopefully won’t be too much of a problem as they both will be in the second half of the field.”