Golden Boom showcased his blistering early speed and gritty determination to clinch the Goldmarket Handicap (1100m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday night.
The five-year-old gelding, trained by Tony Gollan and ridden by Ryan Maloney, overcame a significant weight disadvantage to hold off a late surge from Tiger Shark and claim the Listed feature by a narrow margin.
Jumping swiftly from barrier 12, the $3.50 bookmaker favourite quickly established his position at the head of the field, dictating the tempo with Maloney ensuring the gelding remained composed on the rain-affected Soft 6 track.
Tiger Shark, under Bailey Wheeler, loomed dangerously in the final stages after covering extra ground but fell just short, while stablemate All That Pizzazz rounded out the placings in third.
Gold Coast Goldmarket Handicap Replay – Golden Boom
The victory, Golden Boom’s seventh from 18 starts, highlighted his class and resilience despite carrying 59kg.
Post-race, trainer Tony Gollan praised the gelding’s effort and adaptability, noting the impact of the rain on their original race plan.
“We had to adjust after the rain came, but he was quick, tough, and stuck on well. He’s a really good horse, and this win shows his quality,” Gollan said.
Jockey Ryan Maloney echoed the sentiment, emphasising Golden Boom’s toughness.
“He flew out of the gates and took control. Even with the weight disadvantage, he fought hard when Tiger Shark challenged. It was a well-deserved win,” Maloney remarked.
The win marks another milestone for Gollan, who has now claimed the Goldmarket title four times in the last five years.
The trainer hinted at a potential southern campaign for Golden Boom, possibly targeting short-course sprints over 1,000-1,100m, given his exceptional speed and stamina.
However, Gollan stated that no plans were set in stone.
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