3 minute read
Lightly raced galloper Glenstal Abbey can bounce back to winning form in today's Eyes For You Handicap (race 5) at Kilmore.
The son of Galileo, prepared at Flemington by the Hawkes stable, is steadily building his record and after a solid fourth in town last time looks hard to beat in this RB72 over a mile.
Glenstal Abbey finished fourth at his first two career runs before placing over 1300m at Hawkesbury then was spelled.
After a good break he resumed over 1100m at Wyong and after getting well back early did hit the line well for a length fourth.
He then stepped up to 1400m at Hawkesbury and this time raced on the speed, sitting second throughout before boxing on for a two length fourth.
The run was sound as he did race wide early and copped a couple of bumps but was spelled again after the run.
During his break he was gelded and headed south, where he kicked off in a 1200m maiden at Ballarat.
Ridden up to hold the rails on the inside, he was headed rounding the bend but fought back strongly and scored a gutsy win.
He then stepped up to 1400m at Caulfield where he had a wide gate.
Working across the face of the field early he was caught three deep and sat outside the leaders.
Drifting out even wider around the bend he looked gone again but fought back strongly in the straight and held a 2.2 length fourth behind Donovans.
Today he rises in grade but will find this company easier and drops nicely in the weights.
He has drawn a good gate and in the small field today and over the longer journey for the first time he should be able to have an easier run on the speed.
One thing he has shown to date is good fight at the finish and over the mile here he will prove hard to get past.
The Sean Jackson trained Homelander is racing well this campaign including a last start win at Echuca.
The gelding raced just off the speed there on the inside before drawing clear late and he looks set to enjoy a similar run this time.
The gelding is yet to be proven beyond 1400m but gets the chance here in the small field to do just that.
The Peter Moody trained Storm Burst ran a decent race in town fresh over 1400m when fifth and looks well placed here.
The extra ground is a plus and with the light weight she should be hard to hold out.
She is a second up winner.
Moment To Savour may have lacked race fitness fresh when ninth at Caulfield over 1400m but will strip fitter here and does have an honest second up record.