3 minute read
Leon Macdonald & Andrew Gluyas are an in-form training team and need to be kept well onside at Morphettville on Saturday.
Macdonald & Gluyas are currently striking at 26% off a long-term 20% and will saddle-up eight runners on the eight-race program.
Leon Macdonald says in the training-game things tend to go in cycles. 
“Six months ago we weren’t winning many races — but we knew why.
“The better horses were getting ready and the ones competing at the time weren’t capable of winning races. We accept that these things happen — and now we are only one-win off leading the premiership.
“We do out best to have competitive horses in the stable. A full stable is around 40, but at times our numbers have dropped to well-below this — something we are prepared to accept if the ability isn’t there.
“In managing this way we are looking after the owners as well. Put it this way… we don’t want boarders”.
In race 1 on Saturday the partnership has Manhattan Prince (1) engaged and Macdonald says “... he’s a very consistent horse, but pays for it in the weights. He’s a very good chance, if he can run the 1600m right out."
Cupster (9) is in the same race is an improver. “We took her to town the other day in the race that the McEvoy horse Alpine Eagle won comfortably, but she wasn’t far behind the rest of them.
“There doesn’t look to be a lot of the pace and she can probably go forward and can run some sort of a race at odds.”
Viking Star (5) in Race 2 “… was out for two years with a bowed tendon. We gave him 18 months off before he came into work. He won well last time, and although Darren Weir’s horse looks the one to beat, he will go very well.”
Macdonald says Counter Spin (2) in Race 3 “… should have won comfortably last time.
“We claimed and it didn’t work — he’s not an easy horse to ride and had brilliant closing sectionals.
“He’s a good horse and he’s going very well — and we are happy to have Clare (Lindop) back on, despite the weight. He’s not a top horse by any means, but is very good in this class." 
Tipsy On Red (13) in Race 4 will probably find the class a bit strong, according to Macdonald. “He really needs 1200m, but we couldn’t find a race to suit and you have to kick them off somewhere.
“Having said that, he’s well drawn and can be a little-bit competitive without expecting too much from him.”
Gamblin' Guru (3) in Race 6 “… ran really well first-up and probably needed the run. He had a little bit of a set-back so we’ve needed to keep him fresh for a while.
“He’s an underrated horse and I there is no doubt he should have won the South Australian Derby. He’ll be pretty hard to beat in this race.”
In race 7 Too Cool To Fool “… is going extremely well but probably the set weights and penalties don’t suit her.
The Weir horse Taiyoo looks a special in the race at the weights, and Lucky Lucky Lucky will be very hard to beat, but Too Cool To Fool is probably the best of the rest.
“It looks too tough for my other runner Gossip Guru."
Macdonald says the stable decided not to accept with Essay Raider in Melbourne on Saturday, and he will be saved for the Matrice Stakes in Adelaide next month.
