Mick Price, Michael Kent Jnr and the Roll The Dice Racing team are daring to dream with Globe, who will this Saturday look to cap an ascension into Australian racing’s elite.
Just four weeks after being beaten in an 1800m handicap on AFL Grand Final Day, the Kiwi-bred gelding will look to upstage some of Australia’s biggest names in the $6 million Group 1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.
The son of Charm Spirit defeated Treasurethe Moment and Buckaroo, who will again be rivals this weekend, in the Group 1 The Might And Power (2000m) at Caulfield on October 11, which prompted Globe’s connections to pay a $200,000 late-entry fee.
The seven-year-old looks the solo leader in the 2040m event and some likely early pressure in the race was subtracted with the Racing Victoria stewards-enforced scratching of then-favourite Sir Delius and Price said Globe deserved his opportunity.
“The horse goes into the race at his top and he’s going to have a go, isn’t he?,” Price said.
“I’m not saying he can play with the big boys if they’re on their game, but the favourite’s come out, he will be the leader and the race will be put on for everything to sit off him and if they’re good enough, they win.”
Globe will be a part of what is likely to be a field of nine for the Cox Plate.
Defending champion Via Sistina is now favourite from Antino with Aeliana and The Might And Power runner-up Treasurethe Moment the others shorter in betting than Globe.
The X-factor could be Caulfield Guineas hard-luck story Observer with Godolphin weighing up whether to pay the $100,000 three-year-old late-entry fee or use the Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase (2040m) against his own age as a lead-up to the Victoria Derby.
Observer has also been entered for the $2 million Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) in Sydney.
Price, who is chasing his maiden Cox Plate success, just wants to see Globe hold his form from The Might And Power.
“I wouldn’t say he’s come on and I haven’t asked him to come on as such, because he’s had some hard racing,” Price said.
“He was first up at 1500 (metres) at Moonee Valley, was then 1700 and he’s had some hard racing.
“I’m just trying to keep him where he was for us that day. He’s in good order.”
Blake Shinn was aboard Globe for The Might And Power, but will ride Antino in the Cox Plate, paving the way for Ben Melham to take the ride this weekend.
