Not many horses win a trial by 20 lengths but Tony Gollan reckons you can't read much into the blistering trial romp of leading Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic contender EF Troop.
The third favourite for the 2YO Magic Millions, currently rated the third pick at $11 for next month's rich juvenile race, will race for the first time in six weeks in Saturday's Listed Phelan Ready Stakes (1110m) at Doomben.
Saturday's race for 2YO colts and geldings has only attracted a field of five, but it should be keenly contested.
A son of leading first crop sire Spirit of Boom, EF Troop, toughed it out to win on debut when given little peace at Doomben over 1050m on November 4 and shares favouritism at $2.90 with Tony McEvoy colt Crockett who won his only start in Adelaide in October.
Bookies are also wary of rookie Peter and Paul Snowden colt Commissioner who is owned by James Harron and partners and wears the same green colours as 2016 Magic Millions and Golden Slipper winner Capitalist.
Gollan's gelding EF Troop, the first winner for Spirit Of Boom, blew away a three-horse 2YO trial field on the Gold Coast last week and the trainer emerged happy but with mixed feelings.
"I took him to the Gold Coast for a trial so he could have a look at the place, just in case we get to the Magic Millions with him," Gollan said.
"To be honest I would have liked it to be a more competitive trial, and maybe one where they got out running and he could have tagged something into it.
"But he led and kept getting further in front and came through it well, so I'm happy enough with that."
EF Troop may have already picked up close to enough prizemoney to get a Magic Millions start but winning on Saturday, or even running second, would lock in a spot.
As usual in Brisbane, the Gollan stable has a big team of runners on Saturday and the trainer feels like it could be a good day for him.
Gollan likes the chances of Most Important, rated a $6.50 chance in the Listed Lough Neagh Stakes (1350m), as he feels the son of I Am Invincible is ready to fire after a disappointing Melbourne spring campaign.
Most Important ran fourth behind Monsieur Gustave in the Group III George Moore Stakes on December 2, beaten by ½ length, but was strong on the line.
The step up in trip should suit and Gollan feels Most Important is primed to win his first race in almost a year.
"He got a lot of interference in the back straight in the George Moore, and was flushed out three-wide where you didn't want to be," Gollan said.
"I really do think he is back and ready to win.
"I'm not sure what happened in Melbourne, maybe he hated Caulfield, but he is getting back to his best with some Queensland sunshine on his back."
