Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions
A stunning win by Isotope in the Magic Millions Snippets Sprint a few days later was great justification for that decision. Particularly given the mare had to bounce back from a near fatal bout of colic just to be in the race.
“We were pretty keen to get this filly,’’ Gollan said about the $300,000 Lot 90 purchase of the Spirit of Boom filly out of Great Dansaar (Choisir) from the Daandine Stud draft.
“John (Foote) had a look at her at Daandine. He did the run around to the stud and he liked her there and nothing put us off at the Sale. She was early in the Sale, and I feel the way the Sale progressed, it was strong all the way through, but I feel she was really well bought at that price.
Lot 90 - Spirit Of Boom x Great Dansaar (filly) | Image courtesy of Tony Gollan Racing
“She was a real mature filly, similar to Isotope at the same age. I think she’s going to be a real ripper to the stable.’’
Partnering with Isotope’s ownership group Black Soil Bloodstock to purchase the half-sister, Gollan said the ownership group were a good bunch who are used to having a lot of success.
“It will be a great partnership and a really nice filly to work with,’’ he said.
Comeback queen for The Galaxy
Hailed the 'comeback queen', Isotope now looks destined for a return to Group 1 racing after her stunning victory on Saturday in the Magic Millions Snippets.
Isotope overcame a near-death colic attack and has now returned at the top of her game, taking on and winning the Snippets on Saturday with the highest rating of any horse on the card for the Magic Millions raceday, 101.5.
Tony Gollan and Ryan Maloney after winning the $1 million Magic Millions Snippets | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“She’s awfully talented for one but she’s obviously very tough,’’ Gollan said of the mare by Deep Field.
“She’s had an awful lot of adversity in a very short career and she seems to bounce back all well from it to probably a ratings and career highlight there on Saturday.’’
Asked if a return to Group 1 racing was on the cards for Isotope, Gollan said he really hoped so. Her only tilt at the top level was in June 2020 at Eagle Farm in the JJ Atkins.
“She’s (Isotope) had an awful lot of adversity in a very short career and she seems to bounce back all well from it to probably a ratings and career highlight there on Saturday.’’ - Tony Gollan
“I went into Saturday having a couple of plans in mind as to which way I may or may not go,’’ Gollan said. “I’m almost sure now that I’ll probably head towards The Galaxy (Rosehill, March 19) with her now.
“I won’t run her again for nine weeks and try to run her in The Galaxy and see where we go from there.’’
Coolmore off the cards
Gollan said he had contemplated heading to Sydney and the Coolmore Classic S. for fillies and mares over 1500 metres.
“But I think I’ll just keep her to the sprint trips. In doing that, the lead-ups to The Galaxy are not great. There isn’t a weight for age lead-up race three weeks before over 1000 (metres) but I probably don’t need to run her at weight for age just yet,’’ he said.
Isotope, winner of the 2022 $1 million Magic Millions Snippets | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“I think we can just go to the handicapping and be just as effective. Sharp up a 1100 (metres)… you saw how effective she was fresh-up on Saturday. That’s probably the best way to train her to win the race.’’
Full brother not in the frame
Whether or not Gollan will be back on the hunt next year looking at the full brother to his gritty and talented Isotope remains to be seen.
Great Dansaar, a three-time winner, has a full brother to Isotope on the ground. The mare has Rupertaar (Winning Rupert) racing. He won on debut, has won three from five starts and has been right at the front of the pack when trialling. Another gelding out of Great Dansaar, Prince of Plenty (Sebring) is yet to race.
“Who knows by then if we can afford it,’’ Gollan said. “At this point in time we’ll just keep our sights firmly on this filly.’’
