Breeding & Racing Magazine

Removing The Actuary's Blinkers Does The Trick

Leading Queensland trainer Tony Gollan, who's been having a terrific season, celebrated in more ways than one on Saturday. In addition to breaking through the century mark for 2019-2020 in Queensland with the aptly-named Howwonderfullifeis, Gollan saddled valuable juvenile filly The Actuary (Sebring-Fast Talker, by Fastnet Rock) to win her first black-type event with a slashing come-from-behind win in Doomben's Listed The Phoenix (1625m). A $450,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast graduate from the draft of Widden Stud, The Actuary had her blinkers removed by Gollan who revealed, "I always felt The Actuary could win a stakes race. I think I made a mistake racing her in blinkers and she has improved lengths since we took them off. She would have an even better record if I had removed them earlier and it was the smartest thing I have done for a while."