Gollan prefers home ground advantage for Spiritualised

By Glenn Davis

Talented colt Spiritualised did the job to win for a second time in his short career at Doomben last start but it wasn’t enough to convince champion trainer Tony Gollan to send him interstate for the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.

Instead, Gollan will rely on unbeaten colt Nettuno in the San Domenico while Spiritualised will be reserved for the Three-Year-Old Plate over 1200 metres at Eagle Farm.

Spiritualised has started five times for two wins and three seconds and missed a hat-trick of wins when beaten in a photo by stable mate Honey Pot over 1200 metres at Eagle Farm in the middle of July.

However, he made amends for the narrow defeat winning his last start over 1200 metres at Doomben on August 6.

“He didn’t blow them away last start but he was pulling away from them and won well,” Gollan said.

“He’s going well and worked with Nettuno at Doomben on Tuesday but he won’t be going away just now.

“I was keen to travel him but the San Domenico looks a pretty good race and the race at home is too good an option to knock back so he’ll run here.”

Gollan believes Spiritualised has a bright future and plans to spell the three-year-old after Saturday’s assignment to concentrate on the summer carnival in Brisbane.

“He’ll run Saturday then go for a short spell to prepare for the summer races here,” Gollan said.

“He looks to have a good future as a three-year-old and he’s a Magic Millions horse.

“He’ll come back for races like the Winning Rupert and Gold Edition Stakes and if he shows he can run 1400 metres then he could run in the Magic Millions Guineas.”

Gollan, who has won the past nine Brisbane trainers’ premierships, was pleased with both Nettuno and Spiritualised’s work on Tuesday morning.

“Nettuno is going well and he’s definitely running in the San Domenico and will be ridden by High Bowman,” he said.

Nettuno is a son of I Am Invincible and is unbeaten after three starts but hasn’t raced since claiming the Group 3 Ken Russell Memorial over 1200 metres at the Gold Coast in May.