Former UK galloper Glencadam Gold (IRE), who is being aimed at the Group 1 BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m,) has commenced his Australian campaign in good style with a hard fought win in the $35,000, TAB Sportsbet Handicap (1550m) at Canterbury on Wednesday.
Glencadam Gold (IRE) and Nash Rawiller fight back on the inside from Brian's Honour and Brenton Avdulla outside, picture Sportpix.com.au
Formerly trained by Sir Henry Cecil, the Gai Waterhouse-trained five-year-old trialled well twice leading into this and punters were willing to back the son of Refuse To Bend into the even money favourite.
With stable jockey Nash Rawiller on board Glencadam Gold (57kg) jumped well and sat outside the early leader Dollario for a majority of the race before going to the lead in the early part of the straight.
He was quickly joined by Brian’s Honour (56.5kg) (Anabaa) and Brenton Avdulla who looked the winner with only 100m to go before Glencadom Gold fought back to win by a nose with Master Of Darkness (55.5kg) (Dane Shadow) and Rod Quinn in third, the margin 1 1/2L.
The time was 1.33.74 on the Good 3 track with the final 600m in 35.63. Glencadam Gold paid $2.00 on NSW TAB.
“We might have seen a Caulfield Cup horse here today as he is nominated for it,” said Waterhouse.
“He did a few things wrong, he had his mouth open and he sweated-up behind the barriers and once the horse came up on the outside he got his head down and he was beaten 50m out and said thankyou boom.”
“There is plenty more to work with and as i always say small fish are sweet and its nice to start with a win here at Canterbury.”
Rawiller said the horse has a long way to go before he is considered a Caulfield Cup horse but took a step in the right direction today.
“He will take a lot of benefit from that today,” said Rawiller.
“He is a horse that has taken a few months to settle in to how we do things and just the last three weeks he has started to put it all together,”
“When Brian’s Honour put the pressure on us he got completely off balance and out of stride but his last 100m was tremendous I thought.”
“It’s a very long way to go to the Caulfield Cup but I must say this horse is heading in the right direction and I am sure if anyone can get him there it’s and he keep rasing the bar as we go along.”
Glencadam Gold is currently $51 for the Caulfield Cup on TAB Sportsbet fixed odds with Green Moon the current $14 favourite.
Picture ATC