Glass Harmonium’s Good Behaviour Could Warrant Cox Plate Start

Glass Harmonium

Glass Harmonium could head to the Cox Plate

Trainer Mike Moroney is convinced Glass Harmonium is finally overcoming his race day bad habits after his notable performance in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes last Sunday.

Glass Harmonium finished second in the race by a nose to Caulfield Cup hopeful December Draw.

The five-year-old entire is renowned for getting worked up pre-race in both the parade ring and the barrier stalls.

Moroney said that while he was still displaying signs of agitation last start, the horse had improved his demeanour greatly.

“He broke out a little bit when he got to the back of the gates, we haven’t quite got that worked out,” Moroney said.

“But I thought in the parade area he was terrific for him.

“He just likes getting on his toes and prancing round a little bit.”

The trainer was impressed that Glass Harmonium was able to hang on for as long as he did given the conditions of the Turnbull Stakes.

“He looked as if he relaxed good enough in front,” Moroney said.

“He jumps with them but his first two strides he’s never showed a lot of speed.

“We were a little bit worries there wasn’t any speed on.

“With the track being on the dead side… it was hard to make a lot of ground.”

Glass Harmonium is expected to go on to target the $3 million Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on October 22.

“We’re going to make a final decision after the weekend; we’re leaning towards the Cox Plate,” Moroney said.

“We bought the horse to be a Cox Plate horse.

“We just sort of think this year he would like to have a go at the Cox Plate then maybe the Mackinnon (Stakes on October 29).

“If I had a preference it would be that.”

While the Cox Plate is on Glass Harmonium’s agenda, Moroney is not convinced he will be running in the $6.2 million Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday of November.

“There wouldn’t be a Melbourne Cup I wouldn’t think,” he said.

Glass Harmonium has won one of his seven races since arriving in Australia and has earned close to $A 500,000 in prize money.

 

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