Experienced traveler Side Glance remains a chance of running in the Group 1 Cox Plate (2400m) at Moonee Valley next Saturday if he is able to record a second win in Australia in the 2014 Caulfield Stakesthis weekend.
Side Glance will return to racing in the 2014 Caulfield Stakes at Caulfield this weekend. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Side Glance made the trip to Australia for the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival last year and he finished a credible sixth in the Cox Plate before he took out the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on November 2.
Travelling lad Leanne Masterson revealed last week that both the Cox Plate and Mackinnon Stakes were still on the agenda for Side Glance this year and Anna Lisa Balding, the wife of trainer Andrew Balding, confirmed that a decision on the next race start for the Passing Glance gelding would be made after he runs in the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m) on Saturday.
“We have kept all doors open and we will see how he runs on Saturday,” Balding told Sky Racing HQ.
“We have to wait until that day comes before we know that we are going to do next.
“The Cox Plate, he didn’t run a bad race last year and if he happened to bag the big one on Saturday the Cox Plate would be the obvious place to go.
“He likes the sharp track, he has won at Chester in England which is very similar, but he was very keen and very fresh last year.
“If that was the case having a run under his belt would really help him.
“If he doesn’t win on Saturday there are other options.”
Side Glance has not recorded a race win since he took out the Mackinnon Stakes, but produced strong performances in the Group 1 Dubai World Cup (2000m) at Meydan in March, the Group 1 Singapore Airlines International Cup (2000m) at Kranji in May and both the Group 1 United Nations Stakes (2212m) and Group 1 Arlington Million Stakes (2011m) in the United States.
Balding said that Side Glance is at his best when he gets the opportunity to travel to the other side of the world and she confirmed that the stable were happy with the form of the seven-year-old heading into the Caulfield Stakes.
“He has come here, he is in terrific form and he is the same racing weight that he was this time last year,” Balding said.
“We are really excited.
“He finds going up the road an hour to Royal Ascot a bit boring.
“On the 24 hour slog across the world, he gets to meet some new mates and he prefers that.
“He hasn’t won a race, but he was fourth in the Dubai World Cup and third in the Arlington Millions.
“It is not winning, but they are top end races in the world.”
Side Glance is currently available at 2014 Caulfield Stakes odds of $19, while he is priced at a quote of $67 to take out the Cox Plate.
