Reigning winner Belltone heads an exciting list of Glasshouse Handicap 2013 nominations for the Sunshine Coast’s Caloundra Cup Day this Saturday, Kelso Wood’s veteran galloper looking to improve on their latest effort in Brisbane.

Belltone defends their title in Saturday's Glasshouse Handicap 2013 at Caloundra. Photo: Daniel Costello.

The Eagle Farm-based Brahms seven-year-old was last seen running a distant 16^th to flashy grey Linton in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at their home track on June 8 and is sure to appreciate a step back in class for the $175,000 Listed Reed Property Group Glasshouse Handicap (1400m) on the weekend.

There were a total of 19 early entries taken for this year’s edition of the Glasshouse Handicap, Belltone seeking back-to-back wins in the Queensland Winter Racing Carnival classic following their success in the feature 12 months ago.

Their form leading into last year’s Glasshouse was very good with a second in the Group 2 QTC Cup (1300m) and then a win over Jetset Lad, also second in the Glasshouse, in the Listed Eye Liner Stakes (1350m) at Ipswich.

This year they went to the Group 3 BRC Sprint (1350m) second-up at Doomben and won, a race they were fifth in last winter, before being given their shot at the big time in the Straddie.

While unsuccessful at Group 1 level connections are hoping Belltone can get back to the winners’ stall in the Caloundra Cup and become the second horse in recent years to win dual editions of the race joining the now retired Woorim (2010-11).

Last year’s Caloundra Cup runner-up Jetset Lad has also been nominated for another go, John Wheeler’s Elusive City gelding coming off a fifth to Conservatorium when hampered by a bad gate in the Eye Liner two weeks ago.

Other hopefuls coming via one of the traditional lead-ups in the Eye Liner include the Brian Smith-trained Meet George (2^nd) and Rob Heathcote’s four-year-old (3^rd) – Heathcote after another Glasshouse win after his dual wins with the aforementioned Woorim.

Also in the running at nomination stage for the Glasshouse trophy are the likes of Craig Stott’s local veteran eight-year-old Mystical Grey, former Golden Slipper winner Phelan Ready, the Chris Waller-trained Group performer Riva De Lago coming off a second in Scone’s Luskin Star Stakes and Barry Lockwood’s last start Listed Strawberry Road Handicap winner over the Eagle Farm mile Tokamak.

A few of the Glasshouse Handicap nominees meanwhile are on a short back-up having only run at Eagle Farm on Tattersall’s Tiara Day last Saturday including Natalie McCall’s Sunshine Coast-based Group 3 WJ Healy Stakes runner-up behind Howmuchdoyouloveme River Lad, and Wood’s other runner the in-form Flavelon four-year-old Someday who backed up from their Strawberry Road second to run third to Myer Classic-bound Fire Up Fifi in the Listed Open Mile (1600m).

Check out the full Glasshouse Handicap 2013 nominations below with final acceptances closing on Wednesday morning.

Soon after our preferred online bookie bookmaker.com.au will be releasing their Caloundra Cup Day betting markets so make sure you’ve got an account open with them, it only takes two minutes to sign-up, to get in on the action!

2013 Glasshouse Handicap Nominations

Sunshine Coast – 29/06/2013