The addition of blinkers to Medal Of Glory’s gear at Armidale on Saturday could prove a telling factor.
“He probably should have won last start. He’s still a bit immature in the head,” trainer Mark Taylor said.
“I’ve put the blinkers on just for the one run tomorrow.
“In his trackwork he’s sparked up heaps.
“I’d be very disappointed if he doesn’t win.”
Medal Of Glory tackles the Electrolux Maiden Plate (1400m) with Allan Chau in the saddle.
The four-year-old son of Untouchable, owned and bred by Walcha-based Taylor and his father Geoff, is coming off two placings at Armidale, the latest a half length second to Billy Be Good in a 1300m maiden at the same track on November 6.
Medal Of Glory is the first foal of French Valour, a mare whose promising career was cut short when she went through a fence and injured a knee while spelling.
Taylor offered Medal Of Honour as a yearling at the Classic sale but after failing to make his reserve, the colt was sent to Warwick Farm trainer Gary Nickson.
“I had a Snippets colt that didn’t sell either so I sent them down to Gary to see what he thought,” Taylor said.
“He didn’t think Medal Of Glory was up to city standard so I brought him home.
“He had his first start about this time last year (November 13), ran third at Inverell but pulled a sciatic nerve and had to be spelled for nine months.”
The gelding resumed from a 329-day break with a 4-1/2 length seventh to Nearly Human at Quirindi on October 8 before stringing together two placings.
“He’s a horse I don’t do a lot of work with once he’s fit,” Taylor said.
“Down the track I think he’ll be a 1600 to 2000 metre horse as his breeding suggests.
“The horse has done well since last start.
“Allan (Chau) keeps ringing me to stay on him which is a good sign.
“Medal Of Honour is peaking. He’s ready to win.”
AAP TURF
