Clear Mountain Fairview breaker graduate, Listen Son
Clear Mountain Fairview breaker graduate, Listen Son defied a big weight and wide barrier to produce a fighting win in the Coca-Cola Amatil QTIS 3YO Handicap 1400m at Eagle Farm on Saturday, September 5.
Looking back to his first preparation it was a less than glorious entry into racing circles for the Tony Gollan-trained three-year-old who lost his rider in his first attempt at Toowoomba in February.
The only way was up for Listen Son, and back for a second preparation he now boasts an impressive statistical sheet, which includes six career races with three wins on the trot coming from his last three starts.
He should have no trouble gaining people’s attention now after also posting his first metropolitan race win with his effort at Eagle Farm.
Listen Son now has $80,500 in career prizemoney to his name, which includes $35,000 in QTIS bonuses, and a $21,000 QTIS bonus from his last start alone.
The scheme has a fan in Gollan. “The three races he has won, he has got a QTIS bonus from,” he said. “We planned it that way. The way the program fell I was lucky enough to put him in QTIS races each time.
“QTIS as we know is a terrific scheme for the three-year-olds at this time of year. To be able to spread it over the different distances too is excellent.”
The gelding by Regal Jesse out of Backstage Star revelled in jockey Kristy Banks’ challenge.
Carrying 58 kilograms from barrier 12, Banks had Listen Son work hard to find the front early.
The horse settled beautifully mid-race to leave enough in the tank to produce a real gutsy win to the post holding off any challenge from some in-form opposition.
“There was a bit of pressure on early obviously, but Kristy positioned him to go forward,” Toowoomba-based Gollan said. “He’s a forward running horse, he eventually got across and the pace was good mid-race and he was able to hold on.
“It was an excellent ride by Kristy; she knows the horse really well.”
Banks added that the gelding was still very immature and had plenty of improvement in him. “I had to shake him up to get him over to the fence, but once I got him over there he just cruised,” she said.
“Whenever something comes up the outside of him, he just grabs the bit again. It might be a pretty handy horse.”
Listen Son had contenders lined up behind in the straight, but produced the goods for a long neck win to Good Emperor (Scott Seamer), who in turn held on by a nose to Titanium Rock (Michael Cahill).
The third placegetter also benefited from his QTIS registration by collecting a $3000 bonus from the race.
“We were confident he (Listen Son) could run the 1400m out. He ran the 1350m out strong at Ipswich and we were hoping he might even get a little bit further at this stage,” Gollan said.
“He’s a nicely relaxed horse as you can see by the way he races. You can fire him up a bit early but then he will also drop the bit for you mid-race. He’s a bit of a dream that way.”
Gollan doesn’t get too excited about Listen Son’s recent form, stating that most horses at his age are still finding their feet. The trainer is just happy to enjoy the ride, and the wins, while it lasts.
“He’s a bit of an unknown quantity. Obviously he’s a bit lightly raced as most of the three-year-olds are at this time of the year at those distances, so it’s a bit of a step up and see.
“It’s only his second preparation racing, and we don’t want to give him a hell of a lot. He’s a big gangly thing and hasn’t filled into himself yet.
“To win three races in a row anywhere, we’re happy with him and it’s just been great to be able to go to Brisbane with the 58 (kg) and still come away with the prize.
An interesting turn of events handed Gollan control of Listen Son, after a short racing relationship with the three-year-old’s sole owner, Barrie Barnett, who is more known for his strong presence in Newcastle racing south of the border.
A two-year-old filly owned by Barnett, was being pre-trained by Gollan’s father Daryl, and became stranded in Toowoomba during the uncertain time of Equine Influenza.
She has remained with the stable ever since and began Barnett’s association with Queensland racing.
“Bob Frappell had a lot to do with it,” said Gollan. “He asked Dad to pre-train it and then Barrie decided to leave it up here when EI was on. She showed a bit of ability winning one or two in town.
“Now he has decided to send this fella to us. It’s been a bit of an association through the Frappell’s, which I have to thank them for organising.
“He’s a terrific bloke Barrie. He’s a publican from Newcastle and a real nice fella. He gets a lot of kicks out of racing.”