Toowoomba trainer Norm Hilton has called on the services of premiership winning jockey Chris Munce to partner Bold Glance when he steps out at Warwick Farm on Saturday.

Bold Glance and River Lad

Bold Glance (pictured left) will be partnered by jockey Chris Munce in the Group 2 Warwick Stakes. Photo by: Daniel Costello

Bold Glance will line up in the Group 2 $175,000 Warwick Stakes (1400m) and the weight for age Spring opener has attracted a handy field including several Group 1 winners.

Munce travelled to the Gold Coast to test Bold Glance in a 1000m barrier trial last Tuesday with the seven year old winning the trial easily.

“He needed that hitout but I was really pleased with the way he shaped in the trial and the way he has come on since then,” Hilton said.

“I gave him another good gallop over 1000m on Saturday morning and he’ll do some serious work on Tuesday morning before he gets on the float to Sydney.”

“Along the way he’ll overnight in Scone and by the time he gets to Sydney I reckon he will be fit to run very well.”

Munce is no stranger to Bold Glance and even though it was two years ago, the pair combined to win the Listed $75,000 BRC 1stAnniversary Ascot Handicap (1200m) at Eagle Farm.

And Bold Glance has shown in the past that he is capable of handing the big stage with a gallant third to Sacred Choice in last year’s Group 1 $2m Emirates Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick on April 16 when ridden by Scott Seamer.

Hilton gave Bold Glance a short freshen up after the Sequalo gelding scored a decisive win for apprentice Anthony Allen over 1350m at Doomben on July 28 and the Gold Coast trial will top him off nicely for Saturday.

Group 1 winners Lights Of Heaven, Danleigh and Secret Admirer won’t make the job easy but Hilton is confident that Bold Glance will be competitive heading towards the Group 1 $500,000 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on October 6.

Munce will also be aboard Norocos for Hilton in the Listed $100,000 Show County Quality (1200m).

Hilton is confident that Norocos will pay her way down south and is very pleased with the way the Show A Heart mare is holding her form.

“Norocos galloped with Bold Glance over 1000m on the cushion track here on Saturday morning and her work was outstanding. She’s never been going better and her form says that as well,” Hilton said.

Norocos was a winner over the Grafton carnival before returning to Doomben to score over 1200m against the Class 6 mares on July 28 then was beaten just over a length when third to Carry To Fortune over 1000m at Eagle Farm.

Munce has also picked up the rides on Single Style in the Group 3 $125,000 Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) and Irish Dream in the Listed $100,000 Toy Show Quality (1300m).

The Gary Portelli trained Single Style came to the fore in the Autumn beating Magic Millions winner Driefontein in the Listed $100,000 Brookfield Multiplex Keith Mackay Quality (1200m) at Randwick on April 21 and is primed for a good first up showing with a Randwick barrier trial last Monday.

And Irish Dream is racing at the peak of her career for trainer Ron Quinton, scoring at Warwick Farm two starts back in the Listed $100,000 Tabsportsbet Winter Stakes (1400m) on July 14 then finishing just behind the placegettes two weeks later when fourth to Spinnawitch in the Listed $100,000 Share Care Winter Challenge (1600m) at Warwick Farm.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.