Progressive gelding deserves first crack at Group company
All That Pizzazz faces his toughest test in Saturday's Moreton Cup but Tony Gollan is happy for him to spearhead the team he will take to Saturday's $300,000 Group 2 at Eagle Farm.
The gelding joins Zarastro and Nettuno as members of Queensland's leading stable in the 1200-metre event and while he is the only one of the trio yet to race in Group company, Gollan said his attitude will ensure he acquits himself well.
"He's just a ripper of a horse, you wish you had 20 of him," Gollan said.
"He doesn't put a foot wrong and he's in great nick, the horse. I'm really happy with him.
"I think he's just a good, honest, consistent racehorse. He'll take his place and race very well."
All That Pizzazz, a four-year-old son of Spirit Of Boom, has won seven of 17 starts with five minor placings, two of which have come at his two runs this campaign.
After a first-up second to The Big Goodbye in the Listed Ascot Handicap (1000m) on April 20 he finished third in the Bat Out Of Hell over the same trip at the Sunshine Coast on May 11.
"I elected to go a month between runs with a jumpout into the Moreton Cup and that will project him onto some other races throughout the carnival."
All That Pizzazz is the shortest-priced of Gollan's three runners and he has a similar hope for his support crew; that the predictions of fine weather ring true.
The Eagle Farm track was rated a Soft 5 on Thursday morning and Gollan suggested Zarastro and Nettuno could run improved races on that surface or better.
"I thought he was huge last week in the BRC Sprint – he ran fourth over 1350 on genuine soft ground – and he just wants to get back on a good track," Gollan said of Zarastro.
"Nettuno, he was awful at the Sunshine Coast, but he went back and trialled super during the week.
"I'd just love to see him get back on better ground, soft or better. We've taken all the gear off and I'm really happy with that horse."
Vlad Duric has the ride on Nettuno, who drew barrier seven, two gates wider than All That Pizzazz and Mark Zahra, while Angela Jones will have to plot a path from the outside alley aboard Zarastro.
