Co-trainer Peter Hulbert hopes race experience has helped filly Oh Five Glory overcome a habit which could cost her a Group Two win.
Oh Five Glory will take on a smart field of two-year-olds in Saturday’s Champagne Classic (1200m) at Doomben.
The Champagne Classic has been the launching pad for many top horses in the past 15 years including future Group One winners Gold Edition, Brazen Beau, Sizzling, Pressday and Virage De Fortune.
Hulbert is hopeful Oh Five Glory can join them with some improvement.
Oh Five Glory was the best of the Queenslanders when fifth in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic in January.
She returned two weeks ago when beaten a collective half head into third place in the Listed Dalrello Stakes (1000m).
Most pundits put her defeat down to the fact she started from an outside barrier but Hulbert, who trains the filly with his son Will, believes that was just part of the reason.
“The winner (Jagged Edge) had a wide barrier as well but probably had a better run than us,” Hulbert said.
“But I think she still has a habit of wanting to hang in for a stride or two when Taylor (jockey Marshall) goes for her. It can cost her races and she needs to get over it.”
Hulbert hopes race experience will help cure the problem.
“She has done well since her first-up run although the wet weather has been no help,” he said.
Oh Five Glory will press on to the BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes and possibly the J J Atkins Stakes if she continues to race well.
She is one of 23 entries for the Champagne Classic which has a field limit of 16 plus five emergencies.
