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.

The Tony Gollan-trained three-year-old had lost his rider on debut at Toowoomba in February but he hasn’t looked back this preparation with three wins on the trot.

Listen Son now has $80,500 in career prizemoney to his name, which includes $35,000 in QTIS bonuses, of which $21,000 was banked last Saturday.

The scheme has a fan in Gollan. “The way the program fell, I was lucky enough to put him in QTIS races each time.  QTIS is a terrific scheme for the three-year-olds at this time of year.  To be able to spread it over the different distances is excellent, too.”

The gelding is by Danehill sire Big Jesse and Gollan revealed he is a very relaxed individual.  “You can fire him early but then he will drop the bit.  He’s a dream that way.”

Nevertheless, Gollan isn’t getting too excited about Listen Son’s recent form, stating that most horses at his age are still finding their feet.

“He’s a bit of an unknown quantity.  It’s only his second preparation and we don’t want to give him a hell of a lot.  He’s big and gangly and hasn’t filled into himself yet.  We’re happy with him and it’s just been great to be able to go to Brisbane with the 58kg and still win.”

Gollan acquired Listen Son from owner-breeder Barrie Barnett.  The Newcastle based identity had a filly being pre-trained by Gollan’s father Daryl during the Equine Influenza epidemic.  She was stranded in Toowoomba and has remained with the stable ever since. 

“Bob Frappell asked Dad to pre-train the filly and then Barrie decided to leave it up here when EI was on. She showed a bit of ability and then Barrie decided to send this fella to us.  It’s been a winning association and I have the Frappells to thank for organising it.  Barrie is a publican from Newcastle and is a real nice fella.”

– Ross Dowd / Queensland Racing