Flemington trainer Mike Moroney says Glass Harmonium will have a home ground advantage when he tackles a crack Australian Cup field on Saturday.
The grey’s best runs have been at Flemington and Moroney said that he will be fitter after a fading fourth to Cup rival Lucas Cranach when resuming over 1800 metres in the Group Two Peter Young Stakes at Caulfield two weeks ago.
“It looks like one of the stronger versions of the Australian Cup but our horse has got a lot going his way,” Moroney said.
“He looks to have tightened up a bit with the run last start and he is back to his favourite track and his favourite distance.”
Glass Harmonium has had four starts at Flemington for a win in the Group One Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) and seconds in the Group One Turnbull Stakes (2000m) and Group Two Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m).
His only unplaced run at the track was two starts ago in last year’s Melbourne Cup when he had a breathing issue which has since been resolved with surgery.
Damien Oliver won the Mackinnon on Glass Harmonium and rode him again in the Young Stakes.
“Ollie said he just blew out the last bit at Caulfield,” Moroney said.
“The horse didn’t seem to have any problem with his breathing in running and it was just a lack of fitness at the end.”
“Going back to Flemington is definitely going to suit him.
“He is a far better horse there than at Caulfield.”
Glass Harmonium is $10 for the Australian Cup which has attracted just nine runners, but who have collectively won more than in $18 million prize money.
Heading the list are Melbourne Cup winners Americain with a lofty $5.31 million and Efficient with $4.66 million.
Bart Cummings, who is chasing his 14th Australian Cup, has two of the lowest earners in the field with Illo coming in at the bottom with $222,459 and Precedence at $838,720.
The only other non-millionaire in the field is Lucas Cranach with $814,990 and who is now the new favourite after Wednesday’s barrier draw.
Trained by Anthony Freedman, Lucas Cranach drew the inside barrier and has firmed from $3.60 to $3 with TAB Sportsbet while Americain, who was the favourite since markets were released weeks ago, has tightened from $3.40 to $3.20 after getting the outside barrier.
Lucas Cranach and 2010 Melbourne Cup winner Americain clashed in last year’s Melbourne Cup with Lucas Cranach finishing third and Americain a luckless fourth.
Americain won the Sandown Classic (2400m) at his next start on November 12 but hasn’t raced since and will be having his first start for David Hayes on Saturday.
Illo, who has barrier seven, is $8 just ahead of Manighar who with barrier six has drifted from $8 to $8.50.
Caulfield Cup winner Southern Speed drew barrier three and is $10 with Glass Harmonium (barrier eight) who has firmed from $13.
Perth galloper Playing God (barrier two), who was third in the Cup last year, is $31 and Efficient (barrier four) and Precedence (barrier five) are the $41 outsiders in the field.
AAP TURF
