Mackinnon Stakes winner Side Glance will have the chance to score his second victory at Group 1 level when he contests the 2014 Singapore Airlines International Cup at Kranji on Sunday.
Side Glance claimed his maiden win at Group 1 level in the Mackinnon Stakes during the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Side Glance will be making his racing debut in Singapore, but in the past 18 months has become one of the most seasoned travelers in racing; contesting Group 1 events in The United Kingdom, Canada, United Arab Emirates, the United States Of America, Australia and Hong Kong.
The Passing Glance gelding spent the majority of 2013 away from his home stable after starting the year with fourth place finishes in the Group 1 Jebel Hatta (1800m) at Meydan on March 9 and the Group 1 Dubai World Cup (2000m) at the same venue on March 30.
Side Glance returned to the United Kingdom and finished seventh behind Al Kazeem in the Group 1 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (2011m) at Royal Ascot before heading to the United States where he finished third in the Group 1 Arlington Million Stakes (2011m).
He made his Australian racing debut with a credible fifth place finish behind Shamus Award in the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 26 before scoring his maiden win at Group 1 level in the Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Victoria Derby Day.
Side Glance earnt connections another sizeable pay cheque with a fifth place finish in the Group 1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on December 8 and, after a brief stint in the spelling paddock, performed fairly in both the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge (2000m) and Dubai World Cup.
Travelling groom Leanne Masterton said that Side Glance had handled the trip to Singapore well and told The Racing Post that the seven-year-old is in excellent condition heading into the Singapore Airlines International Cup this weekend.
“He had an easy time on the Polytrack yesterday and this morning he did one circuit on the uphill Polytrack coming back up at a steady canter,” Masterton said.
“He’s a very athletic sort and we’re very happy with him.
He showed great form at home and has come here fresh.
“He’s well travelled and he’s taken this trip very well even if he lost 12 kilos on the way here, but he’s already put five kilos back on.”
Side Glance will face a strong field in the 2014 Singapore Airlines International Cup; with last year’s winner Military Attack, John Moore-trained Dan Excel, Japanese hope Tokei Halo and fellow globetrotter Mull Of Killough all expected to contest the race.
