Mike Moroney ran out of time to prepare Glass Harmonium for his initial first-up target but is more than happy to instead send the well-performed galloper into battle in the Group One Futurity Stakes.
Moroney was originally looking at Saturday’s Group Two Peter Young Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield for Glass Harmonium but believes the Futurity on the same program will provide a better starting point for the Australian Cup-bound entire.
Glass Harmonium winning the Longines Mackinnon Stakes (Group 1) at Flemington - photo by Race Horse Photos Australia
Glass Harmonium had a bone chip removed from a fetlock after his spring campaign but has been showing Moroney all positive signs since his return to work.
“I just felt that his main aim is the Australian Cup and I thought an 1800-metre race might have flattened him,” Moroney said.
“Had he been able to have two jumpouts I would have been happy to do that, but we didn’t have time for that so we just gave him the one jumpout and he’ll run in the 1400-metre race.
“Last preparation he was competitive at 1400 metres in a Group One first-up and that was a handicap. So weight-for-age will suit him better.”
Glass Harmonium hasn’t been seen since his game second to Alcopop in the Group One Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) and Moroney praised the galloper’s ability to continually bounce back after a setback.
The seven-year-old has also had two throat operations during his career.
“He’s such a tough horse,” Moroney said.
“Most horses wouldn’t have handled what he’s had to handle.”
Steven Arnold rides Glass Harmonium on Saturday in the race which star colt All Too Hard will be the likely favourite after his first-up win in the C F Orr Stakes (1400m).
Melbourne Cup winner Green Moon is also set to return while New Zealander King Mufhasa is chasing back-to-back wins in the event.
Moroney said Glass Harmonium’s chances will be decided early on.
Glass Harmonium has a habit of beginning slowly which has damaged his winning chances in big races.
“His fate will be decided in the first four strides,” Moroney said.
“If he jumps away he’s always competitive.”
All Too Hard’s co-trainer Wayne Hawkes said the colt had progressed nicely since his first-up win.
