Racing: Spirit of Boom's trainer plots San Domenico upset at Randwick

Photo / Richard Robinson

SYDNEY: - An unconventional path used by one of Australia's best modern-day sprinters and replicated last year is the inspiration for Tony Gollan to plot a San Domenico Stakes upset.

Gollan is trying to emulate sprint queen Gold Edition's 2006 victory and Chris Waller's 2009 success with Shellscrape when he saddles up Spirit Of Boom in the group three race at Randwick today.

The San Domenico is usually used as a spring pipe-opener for 3-year-olds returning after Sydney autumn campaigns but Gold Edition and Shellscrape have been recent exceptions. Shellscrape won last year's race on the back of a seven-week let-up.

Gold Edition was coming off a 10-week gap after her narrow Queensland Sires' Produce defeat.

Spirit Of Boom goes into this year's edition with an 11-week break between runs, but Gollan believes the strategy can work again. Spirit Of Boom was ridden by Stathi Katsidis in two runs at the end of his winter campaign but Jim Cassidy picks up the ride today.

The veteran rider had a pin removed from his ankle and had arthroscopic surgery on his knee.

"I've been back riding work for two weeks now and I'm feeling great," the 47-year-old said.

Spirit Of Boom, a A$9.50 chance, has drawn the middle of the field in barrier five with the speed in the race tipped to come from his outside via Brightexpectations (6) and favourite Solar Charged (9).

- AAP