Exciting galloper’s acid test in return

Trainer Michael Kent Jr will get a guide on Globe’s true stakes potential on Saturday in the Group 3 Victoria Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield.

Globe burst on to the scene last year with four straight wins to emerge as a spring contender.

Unfortunately, the lightlyraced five-year-old was pulled up out of the Group 2 Feehan Stakes last year with an atrial fibrillation.

“He just looks right ahead of his first-up run, he didn’t look right last preparation. All those issues are behind him,” Kent Jr said.

“My gut tells me it was a once off (atrial fibrillation) and we won’t be talking about it ever again.”

Globe has stern opposition on Saturday in fit and bold frontrunner Buffalo River and Group 1 winner Attrition, who are likely to headline the Victoria Handicap field.

“Globe won his maiden over 1400m, now we’re up against older horses who have been competing in Group 1s at our sixth start,” Kent Jr said. “It’s going to be a good test for him. Mentally he has really grown up.

“He was a high-energy horse, a bit crazy.

“He’s nearly 17 hands high. He has learnt to control himself mentally. He walks out and he walks home and he drops his head when he works now.

“He does everything in a nicer manner, which is holding him in good stead.”

Buffalo River has raced against Mr Brightside, Pride Of Jenni, Pericles and Cascadian in his past three starts in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes, Group 1 Futurity Stakes and All-Star Mile.

Attrition disappointed firstup in the Futurity Stakes but has trialled well since.

“It’s shaping up as a nice race,” Kent Jr said.

“Buffalo River will be ridden by Celine (Guadray), Beau Mertens will be on Attrition.

“Buffalo River makes it interesting because if we are in front of him after a furlong it means we are going too fast.

“So it would be nice to take a sit off him (Buffalo River).”

Jye McNeil is booked to ride Globe on Saturday.

“Jye is a great fit for him,” Kent Jr said. “He has nice soft hands and will suit him well.”

Globe has dominated two Cranbourne jumpouts before the Victoria Handicap.