Australia: European classic competitor Glory Daze makes Aussie debut

Glory Daze was a cut below the best 3-year-olds in Britain and Ireland last year, finishing 14th in the English Derby and fifth in the Irish Derby.

Glory Daze left Europe for Australia in the second half of 2022 and will have his first start in Australia in a minor handicap at seven furlongs at Warrnambool Racecourse on Saturday evening.

An Irish-bred colt by Cotai Glory, Glory Daze was previously trained by Andy Oliver and is now part of the high-profile operation of trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.

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In Ireland last year, Glory Daze won his first start of the year in a maiden race at 1 1/4 miles at the Curragh and was later second in the Group 3 Irish Derby Trial to Stone Age. In November, Stone Age was second in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keeneland.

The race at Warrnambool will be the first start for Glory Daze since the Irish Derby last June, and the shortest race of his career. Glory Daze was sixth and third in his first two starts at a mile as a 2-year-old in 2021.

Glory Daze may have a high-profile background, but he faces a tough test in his Australian debut. Runners such as My Mate Sonny and Yulong Patrol have run well in recent starts.

My Mate Sonny, a winner of 9 of 35 starts, was second in a handicap at 7 1/2 furlongs at Gawler Racecourse on Dec. 17, losing by a neck at 19-1.

Yulong Patrol will have a rapid turnaround after winning a handicap at about 7 1/2 furlongs at Morphettville on Dec. 31. Yulong Patrol closed from well off the pace to win for the fifth time in his 24th start.

Warrnambool has an eight-race program beginning at 9:20 p.m. Eastern or 6:20 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

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