A last-start win in restricted company has revived Tony Gollan’s hopes that Ashgrove may re-emerge as a feature-race player, starting this Saturday on the Gold Coast.
The four-year-old Dundeel gelding is favourite for the $250,000 The Wave, an 1800-metre event for three and four-year-olds.
Gollan conceded Ashgrove had ‘lost his way’ after a third placing in the Group 2 Queensland Guineas (1600m), but a strong last-start win when dropped back to benchmark 70 grade has given him hope.
“He’s always been a very nice horse, he lost his way a bit in the winter preparation, which was a bit of a shame, but he’s certainly come back now,” Gollan said.
“I’ve always had a good opinion of this horse and I’ve never shied him away from good company and if we look at a summer ago, he was favourite against the eventual Oaks winner (Gypsy Goddess) in a 2000-metre race at Doomben.
“He’s always had a good bit of ability, he’s always been well-touted and hopefully we can see that come back out in The Wave.”
Ashgrove has drawn barrier eight, but will start from five if the emergencies don’t gain a start in the field of 13. Ryan Maloney will take the ride.
The last-start win over 1500m was just the second of Ashgrove’s career, to go along with victory in a 1640m Doomben maiden at just his third start.
It followed runs over 1350m and 1400m to start the campaign, which Gollan has designed to have him at his best for The Wave.
“The first two (runs) were warming up to what he did third-up and third up was always designed to have him spot on for this fourth run into the prep,” Gollan said.
Ashgrove forms part of a strong hand for Gollan at the Gold Coast, but one stable member who will not be taking their place is unbeaten filly Skirt The Law, who has been scratched from the Gold Pearl.
Gollan did not want to risk a tough run from a wide barrier seven days out from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic and the daughter of Better Than Ready will now progress straight to that race.