Champion hoop Hugh Bowman is tipping his mount and Doomben Cup favourite Glass Harmonium to back up from their barnstorming Aussie debut by shattering the winning streak of fellow import and rival My Kingdom Of Fife in Brisbane on Saturday.
My Kingdom Of Fife is one of the two favourites for Saturday's Doomben Cup
Michael Moroney’s imported stayer Glass Harmonium burst onto the Australian racing scene in the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) at the Gold Coast on May 7, coming within half a length of the Chris Waller-trained My Kingdom Of Fife.
Now they are preparing to become the first horse to take down My Kingdom Of Fife on the Aussie turf.
The Hollindale was five-year-old Glass Harmonium’s first run in Australia and the powerful performance has seen them installed as the narrow $3.80 favourite to win the $500,000 Group 1 Doomben Cup (2020m) this Saturday.
Second favourite for the Doomben Cup is Waller’s in-form six-year-old My Kingdom Of Fife who extended their unbeaten record in Australia to three with their Hollindale Stakes success.
The former Queen-owned galloper is looking for their second elite level win here on Saturday having previously saluted in the aptly-named Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick last month.
Despite My Kingdom Of Fife’s brilliant recent record, Hugh Bowman is firmly aboard Glass Harmonium’s bandwagon for the Doomben Cup rematch saying his ride has shown enough improvement since the Hollindale to turn the tables on Waller’s star import.
The Doomben Cup, which attracted a final field of 10 at acceptance stage yesterday, will be run over a further 220m than the Hollindale and Bowman believes this will be the key to Glass Harmonium’s advantage.
“He could improve five lengths,” Bowman said of Moroney’s grey galloper.
“I am not saying that he definitely will, but he gave me the impression that he is open to improvement.”
Bowman was aboard for the Hollindale and saw enough in that run to suggest Glass Harmonium is a genuine stayer.
“He raced a bit fresh in the Hollindale,” Bowman continued.
“He got bumped around a touch in the run which didn’t help.
“I think he has more room for improvement than My Kingdom Of Fife considering he was first-up over 1800m.”
Glass Harmonium has also fared slightly better in the Doomben Cup barrier draw, the Verglas stallion due to jump from gate four while My Kingdom Of Fife will start one wider in barrier five with Dwayne Dunn in the mount.
It seems the punters are also expecting the same result Bowman is with TAB Sportsbet stating that a win by the favourite would be the worst possible outcome for them.
“He is clearly our worst way,” TAB Sportsbet spokesman Glenn Munsie said.
