Trainer Tony Gollan is determined his family's run of bad luck in Group One races at Eagle Farm is about to end.

Gollan has a strong hand in Saturday's Stradbroke Hcp (1400m) with Spirit Of Boom and Temple Of Boom, and a genuine Queensland Derby (2400m) hopeful in Amexed.

To round out a Group One day, Gollan's two-year-old Looks Like The Cat is a top hope in the J J Atkins Stakes (1600m).

It isn't the first time a member of the Gollan family has been associated with Queensland's biggest races.

Gollan's father Darryl has been one of Queensland's best known trainers and owners for many years and part-owned Dalrello, trained by the late J J Atkins.

Dalrello's 18 wins included four Group Ones in Sydney - the Doncaster Handicap, two All Aged Stakes and the George Ryder Stakes - and several of Brisbane's better races including the Queensland Guineas.

But he could not win a Group One race in Brisbane.

Dalrello ran second as favourite in the 1974 Queensland Derby after running second in the Grand Prix Stakes. He was also an unlucky second twice in the J T Delaney Quality which is now the Group One BTC Cup.

But the race which really rankled Atkins and Darryl Gollan was the 1976 Stradbroke when Dalrello was favourite and travelling well, but lost his jockey Larry Olsen in a scrimmage.

Darryl Gollan said even 40 years later it still hurt.

"He was such a great horse he deserved to win a really big race in Brisbane. But he would race off the pace and rocket home so I suppose he was always a candidate for trouble," Darryl Gollan said.

Meanwhile, Tony Gollan, who has won three Group One races but none at Eagle Farm, was happy when his Doomben 10,000 winner Spirit Of Boom drew barrier six in Saturday's Stradbroke.

"The 1400 metres is probably the limit of his distance range but from this alley we can ride him where we want to. He should be forward of midfield with some cover," he said.

"I have no doubt he is a better horse this year than last year when he was fourth."

Gollan isn't as thrilled with Temple Of Boom's barrier 18 but believes he is still in with a chance.

"He will go forward and with some luck will give them something to beat," he said.

Gollan's Derby hope Amexed is also given a strong chance of improving on his last-start fourth in the Grand Prix two weeks ago.

"His jockey Michael Rodd admitted he rode him to suit the track bias last start which favoured front runners. This time we will ride him as a stayer," Gollan said.

Looks Like The Cat drew midfield in the J J Atkins which also pleased Gollan.

"He will be a lot fitter for his first-up third in the BRC Sires'," he said.