Imported stayers seem to be the flavour of the month, with another prolific trainer set to unveil a strong team of overseas horses in the coming months.
Mike Moroney welcomed a number of imports into his stable at the end of last year.
All were specifically chosen by Moroney’s brother Paul, a noted good judge of horse flesh.
Among his higher profile purchases were Verglas stallion Glass Harmonium and former Ballydoyle galloper Don Carlos.
Glass Harmonium comes to Australia with a good reputation from Europe, where it was believed he was still a season away from his best form.
His last three runs have been in Group 1 races and although he has finished midfield in each, he has not finished far from the winners – just over four lengths behind Byword and five lengths behind Twice Over.
His final run for Sir Michael Stoute came in the Group 1 Hong Kong Cup, where he finished twelfth to Snow Fairy, beaten just over four lengths.
This time last year, he won the Group 3 Gordon Richards Stakes (1m 2f, 2000m), defeating the classy Redwood – who has since placed in notable feature races around the world, including the Dubai Sheema Classic and the Hong Kong Vase.
Moroney’s racing manager Anthony Feroce has indicated that Australian racing fans are not far away from seeing Glass Harmonium.
“Glass Harmonium will have two runs in Queensland,” Feroce said.
“He will run in the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) at the Gold Coast and all being well, he’ll head to the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2020m).”
“He will then be put away for the spring.”
Feroce indicated the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups would be on the agenda for Glass Harmonium.
Punters obviously believe the import is a chance in the Doomben Cup, with his odds dropping dramatically over the last 48 hours.
He opened at $41 on Wednesday with TAB Sportsbet but is now into $12.
Another import, My Kingdom of Fife, is the $5.50 favourite.
Don Carlos showed ability as a juvenile, running fourth in the Group 1 Grand Criterium de Saint Cloud (1m 2f, 2000m) at his final run at two.
However, the son of Galileo failed to fire as a three year old, resulting in his dispersal from Aiden O’Brien’s Ballydoyle operation.
Feroce said that Don Carlos was “likely to kick off in the early spring.”
He is also likely to target the Melbourne Cup.
Meanwhile, Feroce also had news on some of Moroney’s other stable stars, including Sydney Cup faller Tinseltown.
“Tinseltown pulled up fine after his fall in the Sydney Cup,” Feroce said.
“He is now heading to the Brisbane Cup, along with Viking Hero.”
“We also have high hopes for King Pulse, who will be aimed at the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m).”
Written by Andrew Hawkins
