Leading Brisbane trainer Tony Gollan admits his former NSW connection of Alma’s Fury and Brave Ali will need luck to give him the Ipswich feature double on Saturday.
Alma’s Fury who was previously trained by Paul Murray at Kembla Grange, will be having his second start for Gollan in the Listed Eye Liner Stakes (1350m).
Brave Ali, who was previously trained in Tamworth, has been with Eagle Farm trainer Gollan for two wins and a placing and will take on the Listed Ipswich Cup (2100m) after a month’s break.
Gollan, who has had a wonderful winter mainly through the deeds of his smart sprinters Temple of Boom and Spirit of Boom, said both gallopers had pleased him in recent weeks.
Alma’s Fury hasn’t won since taking the Group Two Apollo Stakes at Warwick Farm in February 2013 but has been racing against top quality Sydney fields.
He had his first start for Gollan when seventh beaten only two lengths by Sacred Star in the Group Two QTC Cup (1200m) two weeks ago.
It was a run which was an ideal pointer to a Listed race such as the Eye Liner.
“However, the way things have panned out they will need some luck and a bit of rain to win,” Gollan said.
“Alma’s Fury has been with me since the start of this campaign and his run in the unsuitable QTC Cup was handy. But his rating is high so he carries 55-56kgs in Group Two races and 59kgs in Listed races.” Gollan said.
Alma’s Fury would either back up in the Tatts Mile on Saturday week or the Glasshouse Mountains Sprint at Caloundra a week later.
Brave Ali has been kept up to the mark with solid track work since his last start third to Pretty Pins in the Chairman’s Hcp on May 10.
Gollan said Brave Ali was being aimed at the Grafton Cup (2350m) on July 10.
Jim Byrne, who has a record on the tricky Ipswich track which is second to none, will have the ride on Alma’s Fury.
However, apprentice Tegan Harrison will continue her association with Brave Ali.
Harrison has ridden Brave Ali four times for three wins and a third.
“Nobody rides Ipswich better than Jim and Tegan has a great record on Brave Ali so I reckon we have the jockeys right,” Gollan added.