Glass Harmonium needs a good run in the Mackinnon to be considered for the Melbourne Cup
Unsettled galloper Glass Harmonium is on Melbourne Cup trial when contesting the Saturday’s $1m Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington.
Trainer Mike Moroney said the grey had to run “well enough” in the Mackinnon before he would push on to the first Tuesday in November.
Seventh in the Cup order of entry and Glass Harmonium is guaranteed a run if connections desire and pay the final acceptance fee of $49,500 on Saturday afternoon.
Despite Glass Harmonium’s good deal of talent, the UK import has had temperament problems particularly before races.
According to Moroney, he lost all chance in the W S Cox Plate after Jimmy Choux broke through the gates prior to the start, leaving horses in the barriers longer than usual.
Glass Harmonium played up, missed the start and lost the desired attitude to perform at his best.
The six year old settled back further than usual and never threatened when finishing a disappointing tenth.
Moroney has signaled doubts about Glass Harmonium’s toughness in the past and has doubts about the Melbourne Cup for the former Sir Michael Stoute-trained galloper.
“We’ll discuss it (a Melbourne Cup start) with the owners and see if they want to roll the dice,” he said.
“There is a nagging doubt about the (3200m) but to be fair to him, when Tullamore beat him in the Brisbane Cup (2400m), he had to give 4.5kg and we were racing week-to-week and we had to rush him to get to the trip.”
Glass Harmonium is one of six Mackinnon runners remaining in the Melbourne Cup, with Midas Touch, Mourayan, Precedence, Linton and The Verminator.
Rekindled Interest is Mackinnon favourite with best odds being at Tattsbet at $3.90 while Glass Harmonium has come for some backing with Luxbet and is in from $8 to $7.50
Trainer Jim Conlan said the Mackinnon would be Rekindled Interest final start this spring before a spell.
“It looks a suitable race, Southern Speed is obviously going to be hard to beat,” Conlan said
Southern Speed, the Caulfield Cup winner, is best priced at $7 with TABsportsbet.
