Horse Racing

Michael Moroney’s Eagle Farm Cup conqueror Glass Harmonium is set to start the short-priced favourite for this Saturday’s Brisbane Cup showdown after the improving import came up trumps with barrier four.

After two gallant placings when second to My Kingdom Of Fife in the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) on the Gold Coast and a close third to Scenic Shot in the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2020m), last Saturday Verglas five-year-old Glass Harmonium broke their maiden status in Australia.

In a thrilling front-running display, Glass Harmonium and jockey Lisa Cropp turned the Eagle Farm Cup into a true staying test leading all the way in the Group 2 feature to score an easy two length win over Shoot Out.

The horse now looks prime to add a second Aussie Group win to their record, Glass Harmonium drawing ideally with barrier four for the $300,000 Group 2 Brisbane Cup (2400m) on Stradbroke Handicap Day at Eagle Farm this Saturday.

Cropp has again been booked to ride Glass Harmonium after her top effort on the galloper last week, while Moroney has also accepted two other stayers from his stables for the feature.

Earlier in the week Moroney said he would wait to see what weight Glass Harmonium was allocating before confirming him as a Brisbane Cup starter, and was reportedly pleased with the 57kg topweight.

Stablemates Tinseltown and Viking Hero are the other Brisbane Cup starters for Moroney, but face a tougher test after drawing barriers 10 and nine respectively.

Saturday will be the second-up run for Pentire gelding Tinseltown since their fall in the Group 1 Sydney Cup in April.

On May 28 the horse resumed with a brave second to Shuffle The Cash in the Group 3 Premier’s Cup (2200m) at Doomben and will carry 54.5kg on Saturday with Kerrin McEvoy in the mount.

Viking Hero is one of the 52.5kg lightweights in the 13-horse Brisbane Cup field, Glyn Schofield to ride the Elvstroem four-year-old who failed to impress last start when checked badly in their Premier’s Cup eventually finishing 20 lengths away 14^th.

Other notable Brisbane Cup acceptors for Saturday include Premier’s Cup winner Shuffle The Cash who will have the inside running from gate one, the Gerald Ryan-trained Ironstein (barrier five) coming off a win in the WJ McKell Cup in Sydney and Gai Waterhouse’s in-form Savabeel gelding Tullamore (barrier two) who was runner-up to Legsman in the Winter Cup at Rosehill last Saturday.

Waterhouse was happy with the run by Tullamore last start and said he had come through the race in good form, ready to back up this weekend.

“Tullamore has been making steady progress and Chris Munce’s local knowledge will be a big asset,” she said.

“He had every chance in the Winter Cup, but I feel he’s earned his spot in the Brisbane Cup.”

Jockey Chris Munce will be shooting for a fifth Brisbane Cup win aboard Tullamore having previously saluted on Grooming (1992), Desert Chill (1995 & 1997) and most recently with Crossthestart 12 months ago.

2011 Brisbane Cup Final Field & Barriers