The Eagle Farm trainer has the precocious son of Star Witness on target for a crack at the $1 million Karaka Million on January 29.
Unlikely Story was put aside after the chestnut colt's debut second at Doomben and he is making good progress toward another appearance before he crosses the Tasman.
"It was a terrific run for second at his first start and he'll have a jump-out and a run about a fortnight before Ellerslie," said Jane Gollan, Tony's wife and his racing and administrative manager.
"We would be expecting him to put away a field of maidens before we come over."
Unlikely Story will be stabled with Bob and Jenny Vance at Ardmore Lodge following discussions with their daughter Maija, who successfully rode in Queensland for a number for years.
"We've spoken with Maija and the horse will probably stay at their property,"
Gollan said."We're making travel arrangements and we'll be over for a week at the sales as well."
Unlikely Story was purchased out of Haunui Farm's Select Sale consignment for $80,000 by respected Queensland agent John Foote.
"He's a lovely type and he'll go on with it," Gollan said. "John was at Karaka a bit earlier than us and he liked him.
"He ticked all the boxes – he's very well put together and he's got a great walk and a very good temperament so it's all go for him."
Unlikely Story, whose half-brother (Lot 411) by Ferlax is in Haunui's 2017 Premier draft, performed well in a jump-out last week and he is currently 11thin order of entry to the Karaka Million.
A Group One-winning trainer, Tony Gollan soared to new heights last season when he set a record for the most metropolitan winners on his way to claiming his third successive Queensland Metropolitan Trainers' Premiership.
Gollan, who also operates a satellite stable at Rosehill, ended the 2015-16 term with 87.5 wins, beating his previous record of 79. – NZ Racing Desk.
