Gai Waterhouse stable foreman Mark Newnham believes that Glencadam Gold is in good shape ahead of his return to racing in the Group 2 Warwick Stakes (1400m) in Sydney on Saturday.
Glencadam Gold will begin a Melbourne Cup campaign in the Warwick Stakes in Sydney on Saturday. Photo by: Steve Hart
Glencadam Gold impressed with a progressive campaign during the 2012 Spring Racing Carnival, highlighted by a dominant victory in the Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m), but his campaign in Sydney during the autumn was nothing short of a disaster.
The Refuse To Bend gelding beat home only two runners first-up in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Warwick Farm and finished at the tail of the field in the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) a fortnight later.
Newnham admitted that Glencadam Gold did not perform up to scratch during the 2013 Sydney Autumn Carnival but is confident that he has returned to his best form this preparation.
“In his autumn preparation nothing went right and he only had the couple of runs and went out,” Newnham told Sky Racing HQ.
“His preparation last spring probably just a told into last preparation.
“He seems to have come back this year in the same sort of form that he was in at the same time last year.
“He is moving really well and he is enjoying his work.”
Glencadam Gold is one of seven Group 1 winners that are set to begin their 2013 Spring Racing Carnival preparations in the Warwick Stakes this weekend and although Newnham doesn’t believe the five-year-old is a winning chance on Saturday he is confident that the imported stayer will be tough to beat when he runs over a more appropriate distance later in his campaign.
“The 1400 may be a little bit sharp but he is in good form within himself and as soon as he gets to his best trip he will be hard to beat,” the former jockey said.
“He should be able to pull out a fresh run on Saturday but I would be looking for him going up in trip.”
Glencadam Gold will be set for the 2013 Melbourne Cup (3200m) after finishing sixth in the race last year.
