International galloper Side Glance is likely to take his place in Saturday week’s Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.
Trainer Andrew Balding’s assistant Leanne Masterton said it was almost certain Side Glance would line-up in the Cox Plate following his minor placing behind Fawkner in last week’s Caulfield Stakes.
Side Glance finished sixth to Shamus Award in last year’s Cox Plate before winning the Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington a week later.
Jamie Spencer, who rode Side Glance at Caulfield, will return for the Cox Plate in which the UK-trained star is a $21 chance.
A final decision will be made when Balding arrives in Melbourne next week and Masterton said there was no intention to take the gelding to Moonee Valley for a gallop before the Cox Plate.
“He ran in it last year and he’s used to running on those tight tracks in America,” Masterton said.
“He’s quite a free-going horse and you risk him doing too much.”
Side Glance had two runs in the US before making his way to Melbourne, finishing third in the Group One United Nations at Monmouth on July 6 before finishing third in the Group One Arlington Million on August 16.
The eight-year-old is a lightly raced gelding having raced 38 times, registering eight victories.
His last 15 starts have been at Group One level and he’s a true international competitor having raced in Melbourne, the US, the UK, Singapore, Hong Kong and Dubai in the past 12 months.
Masterton said Side Glance had come through the Caulfield Stakes third placing, beaten two lengths, in good order and said he would have his worked stepped up either next Tuesday or Wednesday after a light canter on Thursday morning.
“He feels great, he’s eating well and he’s put his weight back on,” Masterton said.
“He’s ticking over nicely.”
