Gollan rings changes to spark Charlie Boy

Charlie Boy will carry blinkers and have a senior rider for the first time this campaign in a bid to bring out his best.

Trainer Tony Gollan has a great record with former Sydney horses, having won more than a dozen races with gallopers such as Didntcostalot, Casual Choice, Frespanol, Fontelina and Lord Coconuts.

He is keen to get Charlie Boy onto the list at Doomben on Saturday.

Charlie Boy, who was formerly trained by the Peter and Paul Snowden partnership and Ciaron Maher, has had three starts for Gollan recording two seconds and a fourth.

In each of those starts he was ridden by apprentice Lani Fancourt who is out injured after breaking an arm.

“Lani did a great job with him and gave him every chance. But once she was unavailable I had a talk with the owners and they thought we might change a few things,” Gollan said.

“Triple Crown Syndications are Sydney-based and used to seeing horses carrying 60.5 kilos.

“So we went with Jim Byrne rather than trying to find and another apprentice who didn’t know the horse.”

“I have also put blinkers back on him which should help in the small field.”

He is expecting Frespanol, who beat Charlie Boy into second last start, to perform well in the same race.

“Even though it is a small field there should be pace and he should sit just off them,” Gollan said.