InglisDigitalAUS
InglisDigitalUSA
Share on Facebook
Craig Williams will be aboard Temple Of Boom when the Queensland sprinter bids to snap a winless streak with a second Aurie's Star Handicap success at Flemington.
Trainer Tony Gollan has booked the globe-trotting Williams to ride the 2011 Aurie's Star winner in Saturday's $150,000 Group Three sprint where the seven-year-old will chase his first victory since the Group One Galaxy in April last year.
Gollan believes the gelding's preparation in Queensland for his race return has been better than his previous two campaigns and is hoping things fall into place in the 1200m straight-track event.
"He'll be carrying more weight than when he won it last time but he's earned that," Gollan said.
"The key to this horse is that he loves the straight track at Flemington, he loves the sting out of the ground and he's just got to be ridden with a bit of cover.
"Hopefully he gets all three things on Saturday and he'll be very competitive."
Gollan was hoping Temple Of Boom would be on a flight to Melbourne from Brisbane on Monday night.
Temple Of Boom has won three times at stakes level on the Flemington straight course from eight attempts.
The son of Piccolo hasn't started since failing to beat a runner home on his preferred wet ground in the BTC Cup in May.
Gollan said a respiratory infection was discovered after the race and Temple Of Boom was given a three-week spell.
"He's had two jump-outs and won them both. He's in good shape for his first-up run," the trainer said.
Temple Of Boom, who has 58kg for Saturday's race, is one of three Group One winners among the 20 nominations.
Luckygray is entered to make his first appearance for new trainer Robert Smerdon and will have to carry 60kg.
Australian Guineas winner Ferlax (56.5kg), who galloped between races at Moonee Valley on Saturday, is also nominated.
Meanwhile, the Gollan-trained three-year-old Whiskey Allround will trial in Brisbane on Tuesday with his performance to help decide where runs first-up with the San Domenico Stakes in Sydney an option.
