Premier trainer Tony Gollan is pleasantly surprised I’m A Rippa is in line to become his third million-dollar earner.
I’m A Rippa, who has earned $931,000, will sail past the million-dollar mark if he wins Saturday’s $175,000 Listed Eye Liner Stakes (1350m) at Ipswich.
He will join Group One winners Temple Of Boom ($1.9 million) and Spirit Of Boom ($2.4 million) as Gollan-trained horses to become millionaires.
Gollan says he had always thought I’m A Rippa could be a top horse but not so soon.
“I know the money from his Magic Millions QTIS win has inflated his earnings,” Gollan said.
“But really he has done so well. After the Millions win I thought he might not be ready to be a top winter horse. I thought he would be our next Brisbane summer carnival horse in races like the George Moore Stakes and Buffering Stakes.
“But he is really a preparation ahead of where I thought he would be.”
Gollan said I’m A Rippa had not put in a bad run this winter.
“He has won a Group Three (The BRC Sprint) and been a terrific second in a Listed race (Spear Chief) this winter.”
Gollan said the key could have been the good spell I’m A Rippa had after the Magic Millions.
“He came back in and I had one look and thought, ‘Haven’t you come on’,” Gollan said.
Stable veteran Charlie Boy will also contest the Eye Liner after being well beaten in his two runs back from a spell.
“He is starting to get down in the weights and won his only start at Ipswich and that was at 1350 metres,” Gollan said.
