Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions
Written by Paul Vettise
Trainer Tony Gollan heaped praise on Ryan Maloney after he had produced a masterful performance to weave longshot Krone (Eurozone) between runners to snatch victory in the $1 million TAB Magic Millions Fillies' & Mares at the Gold Coast.
Despite the starting price, Gollan was in a bullish pre-race mood but knew jockey Maloney was going to have to pull a rabbit out of the hat to overcome a horror draw and that he did.
Krone drifted well off the pace from her wide barrier (14) and was able to duck and dive in the straight to find the gaps and arrived late to pull off a slender victory at the expense of Athiri (Lonhro) and Snapdancer (Choisir).
“He’s a great rider this bloke and does an awesome job, that was a good example of it,” Gollan said. “He’s a really big part of the team and it was a great reward for him.”
Krone was making the third appearance of her preparation and had finished third when resuming in the Listed Just Now S. before an unplaced performance in The Buffering.
“I really thought she would win first-up at Eagle Farm and I probably went a run too early and she wasn’t ready and next start the track wasn’t right for her,” Gollan said.
“I knew this mare was going really well coming into this and I was absolutely gutted when I saw the barrier. I didn’t think there would be enough tempo and she would have to give them too much of a start.
“I knew this mare was going really well coming into this and I was absolutely gutted when I saw the barrier (14).” – Tony Gollan
“I said to Ryan the only way she can win is if you can pick through them. She loves a little bit of cut in the ground and we got that and it was an 11 out of 10 ride. He went through them well.
“I said the chances were all going to be in front of you and somehow you’ve got to weave through them and get on their back.”
Krone joined Gollan’s team following earlier successful spells in Victoria with the now disqualified Darren Weir and then with Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr.
“I just knew the mare was right and I’m so proud of her. I’m so thankful for the team at Roll The Dice and Anthony Mithen at Rosemont Stud for sending this mare up to Queensland,” he said.
“I just knew the mare was right and I’m so proud of her.” – Tony Gollan
“The plan was to go to the Sunshine Coast in a couple of weeks, but we won’t do that now. Her rating will go too high, she’s a winter carnival mare and that will be her swansong."
Krone was bred by Bell View Park Stud and was initially sold at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale for $60,000 before she was offered by Widden Stud as a yearling on the Gold Coast.
Krone as a yearling
She was knocked down for $60,000 to Rosemont Stud, who remained the ownership after she was bought by Roll The Dice Racing for $120,000 at the Gold Coast 2YO In Training Sale.
Krone is a daughter of Soft Landing (Al Maher) and she is a half-sister to the four-time Group 1 winner and sire Universal Ruler, whose sister Universal Queen (Scenic {Ire}) won the G1 Robert Sangster S.
