Rain-affected Slipper a concern for Gollan

Tony Gollan admits he has concerns about Golden Slipper contender Vincere Volare on a wet track.

Eagle Farm trainer Tony Gollan is happy with Vincere Volare’s barrier draw but believes there is a question mark on the filly on a heavy track in the Golden Slipperl.

Vincere Volare is Queensland’s only representative in the Slipper and Gollan gave her a great chance in the race after her last-start third behind Tenley and Exhilarates in the Reisling Stakes two week’s ago.

The filly drew barrier 11 for Saturday’s $3.5 million Slipper but will jump from nine if the emergencies don’t gain a start.

“I am happy with that. She can roll forward from there and stay out of trouble,” Gollan said.

“I watched her work this week and she is going very well. On a dry track I would be confident.”

Sydney has experienced rain for the past two weeks and Rosehill will certainly be rain-affected on Saturday.

Gollan has no clue whether Vincere Volare will handle heavy going because ironically Brisbane has been in drought until this week.

He has been looking at Vincere Volare’s breeding for a clue but admits he isn’t much wiser.

Vincere Volare is out of the Fastnet Rock mare Elimbari whose only win was on a dead track and she was stakes-placed on a slow track.

Elimbari’s dam, the smart racetrack performer Shalt Not, liked wet tracks and ran third in the Magic Millions won by Testa Rossa.

“But Vincere Volare is By I Am Invincible and his stock are usually better on top of the ground,” Gollan said.

“But you would go crazy trying to guess. And that is what it is, a guess, until you try them.”

“I originally thought my old Group One horse Temple Of Boom would struggle on a wet track and the heavier the track the better he went.

“And look at my other filly Niedorp who was well beaten at Rosehill last week. On her breeding you would think she would be a swimmer but both her runs on wet tracks have been below par.”

Gollan said he would be happy if the track hit the soft range on Saturday.

“All I can say is Vincere Volare is fit and happy so I am really looking forward to it.”

The filly will be Gollan’s second Golden Slipper runner after Ef Troop was unplaced last year.