Glitra looks good for Caloundra run
A COMBINATION of favourable factors gives restricted class galloper Glitra the chance to win his first open company race at Caloundra.
Glitra has won his past two starts in the Coffs Harbour Cup and a Doomben No Metropolitan Win race over 1650m in fast time.
There are seven acceptors for today’s Bob Jane T Mart Maroochydore Handicap (1600m) and while it has some stakes winners and promising gallopers, Glitra is the second favourite behind Order Again.
Peter Hulbert, who trains in partnership with his son Will, said he was not surprised Glitra was well fancied but added it was probably one of the trickiest races in a while.
“It is only a small field but it really has got some form around it. But I think our bloke has a few things in his favour,” Hulbert said.
“Glitra is down sharply in weights and Caloundra has been playing to front runners with the rail out.
“It is out again (today) and we have barrier two which means he won’t have much to do to lead or sit just off the pace.
“And if you look at the day the favourite Order Again won we also won and ran a faster final 600 metres. I know that doesn’t always mean much but in other words we aren’t giving up hope.”
Rival trainer Chris Waller is hoping the return to a bigger track and possible on-pace bias will help stakes winner Veladero return to winning form.
Veladero won the 2016 Group Three Gloaming Stakes and was fourth to Yankee Rose in the 2016 Group One Champion Stakes.
He has since won one race in April this year at Warwick Farm but has struggled since. He finished a fair sixth at The Gold Coast at his first Queensland run three weeks ago.
Meanwhile, A Man To Match will be on trial for a spring carnival stint in Sydney when he runs in the QTIS 3YO Handicap at Caloundra.
Trainer Tony Gollan will be in Sydney today with top filly Outback Barbie who runs in the Group Two Furious Stakes at Randwick.
But he will be extra keen to get reports on three of his Caloundra runners A Man To Match, Snicki Minaj (Rhumba Beach Resort Hcp) and Frespanol (Bloomhill Cancer Care Open).
A Man To Match was well beaten first-up at the Gold Coast over 1400m.
“That race was no guide because they walked in front and he needs a genuine pace,” Gollan said.
“I have decided to keep him at 1400 metres on the big Caloundra track where he was stakes placed as a two-yearold.
“If he races well I would like to take him to Sydney.”
IT IS ONLY A SMALL FIELD BUT IT REALLY HAS GOT SOME FORM AROUND IT. BUT I THINK OUR BLOKE HAS A FEW THINGS IN HIS FAVOUR PETER HULBERT