Holder Hoping For a Great Return on Glen
- Thursday, 08 August 2002 00:00
Holder began the season with a winning treble at Victoria Park last weekend and hopes to keep the early momentum going. He has four rides this Saturday all for Leon Macdonald - but the one that holds the most attraction is Great Glen. Each morning for the last eight weeks, Holder he has been aboard the gelding, keen for his return.
"Hes an exciting horse on the way up," Holder said. "Ive won both starts on him and am happy to be able to kick off again this time in."
Great Glen made his debut with a nine-length win in a restricted two-year-old race at Murray Bridge in January, but made the step up to Group class by winning the Group 2 Breeders Stakes (1200m) at Cheltenham Park next start, fighting on doggedly to beat Yell and Presumed Innocent.
"He has led at both his starts but I dont think he has to," Holder said. "On debut he just couldnt go any slower, but he had to work to cross from a wide gate in the Breeders Stakes. The most impressive thing about him is that he was taken on in the lead in that race at about the half-mile. He was never going to let the horse (Yell) past him and he really dug deep to win."
Great Glen has trialled over 688m in slow conditions at Cheltenham Park, winning easily. But this campaign will be his big test.
"A lot of horses win as two-year-olds and dont come up again, but he trialled like a good horse," Holder said. "But if hes going to Melbourne this time in, hed have to run pretty well on Saturday. Hes a beautiful, big strong horse but this will be a good test for him. Leon will make his plans after seeing what he does on Saturday but I hope I get the chance to stick with him."
Noted speedsters Romilada, Corps Commander, the towering grey Kurt and Court Hero will test his meddle this weekend.
Media Release - Jason Hickson (TRSA)