‘I don’t see why he couldn’t be a weight-for-age horse in the future’
Queensland-based trainer Tony Gollan struck an elated character at Caulfield on Saturday after witnessing his determined five-year-old Transatlantic (Snitzel) go pillar-to-post in the Toorak Handicap (Gr 1, 1600m).
Having run narrow seconds in the Sandown Stakes (Gr 3, 1500m) and Tontonan Stakes (Listed, 1400m) on his two starts prior, the gelded son of late Arrowfield great Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice) arrived into the Group 1 handicap rated a $10 chance.
Ridden expertly by Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m)-winning jockey Mark Zahra, Transatlantic ran the race at a tempo to suit and, having kept extra in reserve for the home straight, kept on willingly to deny the persistent challenge of Evaporate (Per Incanto) by 0.2 lengths.
The front pair finished a further 1.2 lengths clear of Leica Lucy (Derryn) back in third place.
“I’ve had one of those preparations where I’ve been beaten point one, point one,” said Gollan. “But I was never really worried, I’d always planned to be here today. I think those defeats got him in here at the right weight.
“Mark [Zahra] executed his plan beautifully, he wanted to be aggressive that first hundred [metres], negate that barrier [in nine]. That’s what he did, and that was the winning tactic.
“He had a plan; he had a fit horse, we got him in the right weight. Mark did the rest, you know? Horse and jockey, great combo, great to be back at Caulfield winning Group 1 races.”
Transatlantic was a $360,000 purchase for Gollan, Harbour Equine and John Foote Bloodstock from the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale out of Segenhoe Thoroughbreds – who have remained in the ownership.
“We bought him as a yearling; we’ve had some ownership changes along the way. It’s just terrific. We’ve had a bunch in and out of him, and it’s just a great story, really. He’s been a nice horse to get going, to win a Group 1 with him; it’s just a great result,” Gollan added.
“There’s something in the water in Brisbane at the moment!
“We gelded him at the end of his three-year-old year and that was the making of him.
“He’s a really busy horse at home, I just thought a trip down here in a new environment, training him away from his home base.
“He’s always had the potential and the ability to go to this level, and the trip away has made him, and he’s a really quality horse. I don’t see why he couldn’t be a weight-for-age horse in the future.”
Bred by Sir Owen Glenn’s Go Bloodstock, Transatlantic is the third winner and first at stakes level from three to race out of the ATC Oaks (Gr 1, 2400m)-winning Darci Drama (Danehill) mare Gust Of Wind, who was the last horse to ever defeat champion mare Winx (Street Cry).
“The last mare that beat the mighty Winx, Gust Of Wind [is his dam]. So he’s got a beautiful pedigree,” Gollan said. “I’ve got no doubt he’ll get further. But he was bloody good at a mile today.”
Winning rider Zahra was also glowing in his report on the five-year-old: “Went out the gates, he was very quick out, which allowed him to get to the front and then [I] just had him where he wanted to be.
“He gave a good kick off the corner, and he’s used to seeing Evaporate’s big head. This time, he was able to sort of be on the other side of the photo. It was a good win, well done to Tony.
“I knew I had a really nice time in front, and when I kicked, I knew I kicked good, and he thinks a bit, and I switched to the left, and I was hoping I wouldn’t see anyone coming at me late.
“Then I knew it was Evaporate, I didn’t have to look, and [he] showed good fight the last fifty [metres] to dig in and win.”
Gust Of Wind has a juvenile colt from the first crop of Newgate Farm’s Stay Inside (Extreme Choice) who will be offered as Lot 26 at next week’s Inglis Ready2Race Sale.
Transatlantic (5 g Snitzel – Gust Of Wind by Darci Brahma) became the 25th individual Group 1 winner for the multiple champion sire Snitzel, who was euthanised earlier this year.