Trainer Tony Gollan made it four wins from the first four races at Eagle Farm on Saturday as 2yo Spirit Of Boom filly Boomelli cleared out to win the $200,000 Listed BRC Calaway Stakes (1200m), giving Queensland’s Champion trainer his fourth win in the race.
Having won two of her previous four starts, the filly was a narrow last start second at Toowoomba, and off the back of a recent barrier trial effort came into Saturday’s race ready to produce the goods.
With Ben Thompson in the saddle, the pair jumped away from the inside barrier and went forward to settle in third position with last start winner Phere The Warrego taking up the running.
When the field entered the straight and the runners fanned, Thompson continued his run along the inside, passing the race leader to skip clear.
Sporting the Star Thoroughbreds silks, the Chirs Waller trained Home Affairs filly started to make her run, while the Rex Lipp trained race favourite Esperanza was slowly working her way through the field.
Clearly appreciating the soft seven track conditions, Boomelli held off all challengers in the run to the line, pulling clear to win by the best part of a length and three quarters from Auric Star who had come home well from towards the tail.
The lightly raced The Autumn Sun filly The Autumn Affair came along the inside to finish in third in what was a solid effort by the Kelly Schweida trained juvenile.
Having won this race in the past by a host of handy performers, trainer Tony Gollan was impressed by the win of his smart filly.
“I really liked this filly coming in today,” said Gollan. “She had a beautiful preparation for this.”
“I thought she should have been unbeaten, she should have won at Toowoomba. I felt she was taken off the track on the corner and when I drew low in this race today, the wet didn't bother me. She's out of Foxwedge mare, and she's really nice and fit.
“She was the proven horse at the 1,200m as well, so she lobbed into a lovely spot behind speed.
“You can see this track's relatively fair. We were keen to take shortcuts and present her, and she's done a good job.
“But we've got a beautiful run. Off a low draw, the good barriers. I've had an awful run these last few weeks. Of ordinary gates and a lot of seconds, thirds, and um you know, everything's turned around. Lovely today for the team.”
Having ridden the filly in all bar one of her starts, Thompson understands her and knews she be fit to run really well.
“She's just a real professional,” said Thompson. “She's done pretty much everything right to date with the only the one blemish across the road but went straight for a break.
“She's got a good temperament, a good brain, and just knows her job.
“So great reward for Tony and connections to get some blacktop with her today.”
Taking her overall record to three wins and a place from five starts with earnings just shy of $100,000, Boomelli was a $160,000 purchase for Boomer Bloodstock (FBAA) and Beamish Bloodstock from Robyn Wise’s Book 2 draft at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale.
Bred by S J E Family Trust, Boomelli is the third winner and first starts winners from three to the races for the Foxwedge mare Foxarelli.
The mare was not covered the following season, but has since foaled a filly from the first crop of Vinery Stud’s I Am Invincible stallion Hawaii Five Oh.
Boomelli became the 32nd individual stakes winner for Eureka Stud’s Spirit Of Boom whose progeny are headed by the former Tony Gollan trained G1 Manikato Stakes winner Jonker.
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