Paulette Gollan won’t strike it rich if Antino wins the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap, but it might be the most important $5 each-way bet she has ever had.
The 76-year-old mother of champion Queensland trainer Tony Gollan is as proud as punch of her son.
Every day, she has $5 each-way on every one of her boy’s horses, no matter where they run or what price they are in the betting market.
Paulette Gollan worked at TABs and PubTABs for many years – both in Brisbane and Toowoomba – and was happy to tip her son’s horses to punters if they wanted some inside mail.
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But she is so loyal to her son that she simply backs all of his huge team of horses.
“Mum still texts me and asks for my best every day but she backs every single one of my horses, so it doesn’t really matter what I say,” Gollan says.
Tony Gollan and mum Paulette with Antino. Photo: Steve Pohlner
“She is an avid punter, she always has been. When it comes to the horses, she puts her money where her mouth is, she is always having her bets.
“She’s backed 100-1 winners of mine over the years and she has got plenty of trifectas and exactas.
“She never leaves any of my horses out. I’m not really sure why I get a text asking me what to back, because she’s going to back them all anyway.
“She has always worked in the TABs and PubTABs, back in Toowoomba as well.
“Mum certainly loves horse racing and it gives her a good thrill and now she is living right near on the track at Doomben.”
Gollan, who has won the last 10 Brisbane training premierships, has scored six career Group 1 wins including two on home soil.
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Vlad Duric powers to victory aboard Antino in the Group 2 Victory Stakes at Eagle Farm. Picture: Grant Peters – Trackside Photography
But nothing he has achieved in his glittering training career would come close to what it would mean to score Queensland’s most prestigious race, the Stradbroke, which he has long craved.
Paulette Gollan will be on track on Saturday to give her boy a huge cheer and to have her customary $5 each-way bets.
She won’t be rich if long-time fancy Antino wins the Stradbroke, but there would be no prouder mum in Australia.
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“When I worked at the TABs, there were always punters who were asking me to tip Tony’s horses to them,” Paulette Gollan chuckles.
“Maybe some punters might have made some money out of me over the years.
“I still back every one of Tony’s horses, I have a nice little TAB account going.
“I have the same bet on all his horses and I’m happy when any of them win, especially the ones at big odds.”
Gollan and jockey Vlad Duric after the Group 2 Victory Stakes at Eagle Farm. Picture: Grant Peters – Trackside Photography
Legendary trainer Darryl Gollan, the patriarch of the family, died in 2020 after bravely fighting a cancer battle which dated back 15 years.
Tony grew up living in pubs on the Darling Downs and it was watching his hard-working father and mother that instilled in him his strong work ethic and burning desire to succeed.
If Gollan wins the Stradbroke for the first time on Saturday, memories of dad Darryl will come flooding back.
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The champion trainer says he wouldn’t be where he is in life without his much-loved parents.
“I owe everything to mum and dad,” Tony Gollan said.
“If it wasn’t for mum and dad, I wouldn’t be in the situation I am in now.
“I had an amazing upbringing but I am also so grateful for the amount mum and dad supported me throughout my training career.
“It’s just invaluable, and I certainly wouldn’t be here with one of the Stradbroke favourites if it wasn’t for my parents.”
Antino and jockey Vlad Duric will have to weave some magic from a wide gate after the galloper drew 20 at the barrier draw function on Tuesday.