Glass Harmonium ready for Doncaster

Saturday sees the running of one of Sydney's most popular races - the $2 million Group One Doncaster Handicap - and we are very excited to have a runner, especially as it is one of the stable's favourites in Glass Harmonium.

Best known for his brave, free-wheeling big race victories over longer trips - the Group One Mackinnon Stakes over 2000m and the Group Two Eagle Farm Cup over 2200m - the popular grey has raced over the mile of the Doncaster on only three occasions.

Second to Littorio in the 2011 Group Two Makybe Diva Stakes at the trip, Glass Harmonium, says Michael Moroney, has the credentials to win a big race over 1600m.

"After he ran in the Australian Cup we sat back and had a look at things and decided this was the right race for him rather than push him out in distance," he said.

"He runs well fresh and usually the Doncaster is won by a horse who is better suited at 2000m," he continued.

"It's not going to be easy as there are some nice three-year-olds in the race," he conceded, adding however that Glass Harmonium "has a good record going right-handed."

Whilst yet to race in Sydney, Glass Harmonium was never out of the placings in his four Brisbane runs and, as usual, it is just a matter of how well he jumps in the Doncaster.

"He didn't help his chances in the Australian Cup as he was slow to begin but he often does that so we have to go out with two game plans in the Doncaster," said Moroney.

Drawn barrier nine, Glass Harmonium will be ridden by Steven Arnold who has been aboard for his last two starts including a gallant second to All Too Hard in the Group One Futurity Stakes.