It is far from a glorious set-up, but co-trainer Greg Lee is anticipating a glorious return to racing by a horse he believes possesses Group 1 potential at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
The horse in question is Glorious Moments, and Lee, along with his co-trainer brother Jim, will be relying on the talent they have observed in the gelding to shine through from an outside barrier in the Asahi Super Dry Handicap (1100m).
This will be his first run since posting consecutive wins last winter by dominant margins. His campaign was cut short when he required a minor bone chip operation, and his return was further delayed when he had to miss his planned first-up run earlier this month.
"He had a small chip on a joint, on the side not in the knee, so we had that taken out and instead of giving him three months we decided to give him a bit longer," Lee said.
"It was only a minor thing that made us not run the other day, but it was enough to say we shouldn't go ahead.
"He's good as gold. I think he's the best horse we've had since Hayai, and we've had some good horses. I think he could win a Doncaster."
Glorious Moments trialled twice in open company in April, placing behind Beiwacht in the first and then Zealously. James McDonald steered him around in a tickover trial last Friday.
"James gave him an easy trial and he was very happy with him, and I was happy with him," Lee said.
Given that Lee sees Glorious Moments as a classy miler in the making, he hopes the outside barrier plays to his advantage with the sting out of the track over the shorter trip first-up. His two wins to date have come over 1250m and 1300m. The four-year-old is not a small animal, so it could work against him if he needed to be dug up to hold a spot from an inside barrier.
"He's better off out there, there's only one corner and they'll probably all head out that way and he's already there," he said.
"I am thinking much higher things for him so he would want to win. He's a big horse and the weight won't worry him.
"I have a lot of faith in him, he's the type of horse that will run the gauntlet. He'll just get up and keep going."
If Glorious Moments performs to the trainer's hopes, he will be headed for Queensland.
Tips and Race by Race Preview for Warwick Farm Meeting Wednesday
Selections based on a soft to heavy track.
Race 1 - 12:50PM RANVET HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
2. Olympian was saved from the Highway at Scone and should prove hard to beat even though he has the outside alley. It may actually be a plus if he can stay on the outside after he was hemmed away last start at Hawkesbury and came off second best when trying to force out.
Dangers: 3. Coulter was effective in two soft track starts for wins earlier in the prep and wasn't disgraced when runner-up in the Wagga Guineas back to this distance. Good chance. 7. Lipstick has been big odds at her past two starts but has run well in both, particularly two starts back. Interesting to see how she fares at the mile. 5. Tequisoda was a drifting favourite but got the job done first-up on the Illawarra Grange track at Kembla. Fitter for it and could make a case for him to run well.
How to play it: Olympian WIN.
Race 2 - 1:25PM TAB HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
1. Portico found the line with plenty of resolve as favourite when a close second over 1000m at this track two weeks ago. Don't mind him drawn out a little and if he can continue to progress he's a good each-way chance in a tricky race.
Dangers: 3. Crescent King has looked the part with narrow wins in both trials to date, though the margin in the latest of them is a little misleading as he was cruising through the line. Hard to know his wet track prowess but hard to ignore. 10. Like An Eagle was visually impressive leading and putting a margin on his rivals in a Rosehill trial just over a week ago. Any support would be a pointer. 15. Iommi ran fourth behind Crescent King in his latest trial, not asked for anything in it and only beaten three-quarters of a length. Keep safe.
How to play it: Portico EACH-WAY.
Race 3 - 2:00PM ALL TOO HARD @ VINERY STUD HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
7. Hello Captain showed plenty of promise in two starts in Queensland in December, winning the second of them quite impressively. State switch says he's a horse on the up and he trialled quite weak in the second of his recent hitouts. Sure to take holding out.
Dangers: 5. Bruce I Am won easily from the front on debut at Wyong a month ago then returned there and was narrowly beaten. Should be okay with the soft ground, is race fit and could atone without surprising. 6. Fairway To Heaven has been racing well this time in and reacted strongly when asked to sprint at Wyong when scoring there a few weeks ago. Can run well again. 8. Nandina was kept safe in the betting when resuming two weeks ago but didn't get into the race at all. Fitter for it and might just love a wet track on her breeding.
How to play it: Hello Captain WIN.
Race 4 - 2:35PM PRECISE AIR HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
Have to stay with 11. Superfabulistic who was strong in winning over the same course two weeks ago after sitting outside the lead, absorbing pressure and kicking on to score. Creeps up in the weights but this is no harder and she'll be hard to beat again.
Dangers: 7. Sting In The Tail was excellent when resuming at Kensington a few weeks ago over a similar trip, she warmed up late to run third. Granted her second-up record isn't as strong but with the soft ground she could put herself in the finish. 3. Hovland ran a handy race when resuming behind Superfabulistic and has a 1.5kg swing in his favour. Wet track no concern for him and he should be competitive. 5. Scalextrics disappointed when in the market at Kensington on good ground but his wet track form is worth noting and he could turn things around quickly.
How to play it: Superfabulistic WIN.
Race 5 - 3:10PM SCHWEPPES HANDICAP (2110 METRES)
11. Dolce Dior is a bit one paced but she's an on pacer who can give a sight at odds if she finds the lead. Just run down after leading at Wyong two runs back, not as effective last time at Kembla from off the speed but not beaten far. Each-way chance.
Dangers: 15. Lupa Capitolina was back 200m in trip when running on nicely into second at Kensington last week so the step up in ground here is in her favour. Small question mark on a wet track but hasn't been exposed to worse than a soft 5. 8. So Suave is back in Sydney after campaigning in Victoria of late and has some handy wet track credentials. Led and boxed on at Bendigo last time, is one of the chances. 1. Centenario was one of the first beaten when he resumed at Hawkesbury but he does improve quickly with a run under the belt. Likes some sting out of the track and he's worth another chance.
How to play it: Dolce Dior EACH-WAY.
Race 6 - 3:45PM ASAHI SUPER DRY HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
1. Glorious Moments is a promising gelding who hasn't raced since last winter where he won easily in both starts on soft ground. He's had three trials, the latest a tickover as he was meant to resume at Gosford, suited drawing out with the straight run to the turn and if in order is the one to beat.
Dangers: 13. Confidentiality has some race fitness on her side and she was eye-catching as she stormed into second behind Compensation, who has won again, at Randwick on Anzac Day. No wet track guide but is related to Private Eye and King's Secret who can handle soft at least. 2. Hezdarnhottoo is coming back a notch in class after taking on BM78 or higher lately and he hasn't been too far away. On his best efforts he's a chance. 10. Heuristic was a bit hit and miss last preparation and resumes without blinkers since placing at Kensington in December. Does like it cushy underneath and he could run a cheeky race.
How to play it: Glorious Moments WIN.
Race 7 - 4:20PM THE AGENCY REAL ESTATE HANDICAP (1300 METRES)
3. Pimlico has an outside gate to contend with but that may not be an issue with the straight run and wet track. He's in top form this time around with strong wins at Gosford and Kensington and with even luck he will be competitive again.
Dangers: 4. Supermassive has the blinkers on after being a shade disappointing as favourite second-up two weeks ago at this track. Sat outside the lead there, led when winning first-up. Worth another chance. 13. Condone was a strong first-up maiden winner over this track and distance and has to take the leap now in class. It's not a huge leap this time of year so he's a definite chance. 15. Barbray is a knockout chance fresh, he was narrowly beaten first-up last time in when well supported and while he probably gets back he can run on well.
How to play it: Pimlico WIN.
Disclaimer: While the thrill of horse racing can be captivating, it's important to remember that gambling is a form of entertainment and should be enjoyed responsibly. The tips and opinions expressed in this article are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial advice.
If you or someone you know is affected by problem gambling, help is available. For free and confidential support, please contact:
- GambleAware NSW: Phone 1800 858 858 (24/7) or visit gambleaware.nsw.gov.au
- Gambling Help Online: Phone 1800 858 858 (24/7) or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
Remember, it's okay to ask for help.
