Global Glamour will have a more conservative return to Sydney racing
A clash with Winx can wait for Global Glamour with the Thousand Guineas winner confirmed for a more conservative return to Sydney racing.
Co-trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott caused a minor stir when they paid up for Global Glamour to contest the 2017 Apollo Stakes, the weight-for-age race at Randwick on Saturday which marks the reappearance of champion mare Winx.
Global Glamour drew the rails in the Apollo but by mid-afternoon the filly was withdrawn to run against her own age and kind from a deep barrier in the Group Two Light Fingers Stakes.
“It was tempting to run in the Apollo and a lot of thought went into deciding which way to go,” Bott said.
Global Glamour was one of the stars of the spring, claiming a Group One double in the space of seven days with wins in the Flight Stakes and Thousand Guineas.
Omei Sword, a stablemate of Winx, was not among the acceptors for the Light Fingers.
Her absence will ensure Global Glamour runs as a warm favourite despite having to come back to 1200m after racing over 1400m in the Magic Millions Guineas last month.
Trainer Chris Waller is hoping he can get Omei Sword right for the Surround Stakes on February 25.
“I am reluctant to gallop her until I see her warming up and cooling down without any problems,” Waller said.
“I believe it will still take a few days but she is certainly improving.
“My intentions will be to gallop her next week and reassess.”
Waller has no such concerns about Winx as the darling of Australian racing sets off on an autumn campaign with the Apollo field down to 12 after Savvy Nature joined Global Glamour as an early defector.
For thrillseeking punters wanting to support Winx at the $1.12 quoted on Wednesday, Waller is content he has done his part to get the mare ready to continue her winning streak.
“I had a good look at her this morning and I thought she looked perfect,” he said.
Winx will jump from the second stall on Saturday, one barrier out from where she made a winning return in last year’s edition.
Hartnell, a high-quality weight-for-age horse for Godolphin who was beaten eight lengths into second behind Winx in last year’s Cox Plate, is closest to the mare in Apollo betting.
As the $10 second favourite, Hartnell is a clear stand-out among trainer John O’Shea’s three runners.
Based on a forecast for hot weather late in the week, Australian Turf Club track manager Lindsay Murphy said he expected Randwick to quickly improve despite a heavy rating after acceptance time.
