Back Yourself!
Sign-up and start betting with Ladbrokes in 2 minutes!
Back A Winner with Neds!
Sign-up and start betting with Neds in 2 minutes!
Daily Racing Specials!
Sign-up and bet with Australia's best new bookmaker!
#1 Ranked New Bookie
Sign-up and bet with Australia's #1 ranked new bookmaker!
Best Of The Best Odds!
Bet With Palmerbet and get Paid Top Fluc or Top Tote!
Massive Odds on All Races!
Sign-up and start betting with PlayUp in 2 minutes!
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Search
 

The Melbourne Cup was not Glass Harmonium’s major target this spring but neither was it an afterthought.
Trainer Mike Moroney is excited about the former English horse’s prospects with the only question mark being the 3200 metres of Tuesday’s race.

The Cox Plate was the race Glass Harmonium was being aimed at but barrier problems meant his race was over before it began.

A comprehensive win in Saturday’s Group One Mackinnon Stakes convinced Moroney and the horse’s owners to take the extra step to the Melbourne Cup.

“We made each payment but we really never had the race in our sights,” Moroney said.

“But once the Cox Plate went to custard it was back on the radar as long as he performed well in the Mackinnon.

“I’m 50-50 over whether he can stay or not. I think he may be too brilliant but he’s such a good horse he deserves his chance.

“If he stays, he wins the race and his best chance is this year before weight gets him.

“He’s well-weighted this time, he’s probably the best weighted horse in the race.”

Glass Harmonium carries 54kg, 5.5kg under weight-for-age, with his longest test so far the 2400 metres of the Brisbane Cup where finished second to Melbourne Cup rival Tullamore.

Lisa Cropp will be back aboard in the Cup after losing the ride following Glass Harmonium’s fourth in the Underwood Stakes.

Kerrin McEvoy rode him at his next start with Damien Oliver aboard for the Cox Plate and the Mackinnon.

Oliver’s commitment to the Luca Cumani-trained Manighar meant connections had to look elsewhere when the decision was made to run on Tuesday.

“The owners were always keen to have a big name rider on the horse and Damien was the choice,” Moroney said,.

“Lisa knows the horse so I am very happy to have her there now that he is not available,” Moroney said.

Some trainers would rue barrier 23 of 24 but not Moroney who said it was the ideal gate for the free-rolling Glass Harmonium.

“He was always probably going to lead and the barrier makes sure we do,” he said.

“He is tough, he loves the Flemington track, he just has to run the 3200 metres.”

Moroney, who won the Cup in 2000 with Brew, said Glass Harmonium was a totally different type.

“They are chalk and cheese. This horse has a really high cruising speed while Brew was more of a typical stayer,” he said.

“He is a lovely horse, he would lick you rather than bite you and is a joy to have around the stable.

“I’m hoping he can do the job but it’s just great that he has won a Group One in Australia and showed how good he is.”

Glass Harmonium was at $35 with TAB Sportsbet on Monday with Americain an easing $4.60 favourite to defend his title with money coming for Niwot ($11), who earned his way into the race as the winner of Saturday’s Lexus Stakes.

AAP TURF

 
*Existing customers only. 2nd Racing bet. Excl SA & WA. T’s & C’s apply. Gamble responsibly.
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Featured News

FREE BETS – Claim $1000’s in Bonus Bets at the TOP Betting Sites

We take a look at the BIGGEST and BEST Free Daily Racing Offers and Betting Promotions from Australia’s leading online...

Golden Slipper Likely Field – 2024

The biggest two-year-old race of the year will jump this Saturday in arguably one of the best fields in recent...

Former trainer handed a five-year ban for pulling stewards pants down

Former trainer Todd Balfour has been handed a five-year disqualification by Racing SA stewards after a misconduct incident at the...

Melbourne Cup champion Verry Elleegant passes away

Verry Elleegant, one of the great mares in the history of Australian racing, has died while giving birth to her...

Watch 📺 Jockey banned from all racing premises over ride

Jockey Dylan Kitts has been penalised with a disciplinary officer exclusion directive due to non-compliance with an inquiry regarding his...

Group 1 winner returns positive swab

Racing Victoria stewards are investigating a positive swab from Group 1-winning mare Prowess, the racehorse trained by Roger James and...

Alligator Blood injured, career in doubt

Cult galloper Alligator Blood may have run his last race, with trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott confirming the star galloper had...

Nikita Beriman returns to the saddle

July 1, 2023 to January 26, 2024 … that period represents the just shy of seven months that Nikita Beriman...

Australia's Best Betting Sites

New Betting Sites Australia + Top List Bookmaker Apps $$$

Betting in Australia has never been more popular thanks to a large increase in new betting Agencies and Apps available...

Top 10 – Funniest Race Horse Names

Horse racing. Known as the ‘Sport Of Kings’, an industry worth billions, a very serious business…but to some, it’s a...

Best Horse Betting Sites in Australia

Best Horse Racing Betting Apps and Betting Sites – March 2024

We take a look at the best online betting apps to bet on horse racing in Australia for the month...

Golden Slipper

The Golden Slipper is one of the biggest and most prestigious horse races in Australia. Taking place each April at...

Australian Bookmaker Reviews – Online Bookie Ratings $$

Which bookmaker should you bet with? We Review each of the leading online Australian Bookmakers and rate them in order...

 
 
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au