Although Glory Daze has a stronger record at Randwick, the Ciaron Maher stable remains optimistic about his chances in Saturday’s McKell Cup (2000m) at Rosehill.
All three of the six-year-old’s wins in Australia have come at Randwick, but he did finish third in last month’s Lord Mayors Cup (2000m) at Rosehill, showing he can be competitive at the venue.
Johann Gerard-Dubord, Maher’s Sydney foreman, says Glory Daze is in good shape leading into the Listed race. “He has probably got a better record at Randwick than he does at Rosehill but he has got that rating where we don’t have too many options so he probably has to run,” he said.
“But I couldn’t be happier with him. He is going well. We have just kept him fresh. He was backing up last start so we have given him plenty of time between runs.”
After his last win at Randwick over 2000m, Glory Daze again placed over that same trip in the Lord Mayors Cup, both times on heavy going. While conditions are expected to be firmer this weekend, Gerard-Dubord still sees the McKell Cup as a suitable assignment.
“I would have loved to see a bit more rain, but he’s at his right trip and I think it’s the right race,” he said. “With a bit more give in the track, I would be very confident. But he is still good enough and he is going well.”
The 2000m feature has attracted a field of 14, although Quietness has been scratched to instead run in the Tattersall’s Gold Crown (2100m) in Queensland.
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