Sunshine Coast Racing: Glasshouse Handicap Betting Tips
HMR Projects Glasshouse Handicap 1400m – Listed
Despite only being a Listed Race, the Glasshouse Handicap typically generates plenty of interest. This year’s edition sees a field of 12 set to contest the $175,000 prize, with Group 1 winners Stratum Star and Sacred Star at the top of the weights.
The race is set to be run over the 1400m at the Sunshine Coast, which is currently rated a Soft 6 as of Friday morning. With only fine and sunny weather predicted for the rest of Friday and Saturday we should see the track upgraded to a Good 4 at some point.
The track itself is fairly big and spacious, allowing horses from the back of the field time and space to wind up and finish off. In terms of tempo in this race, it could play to those closer to the speed with only Saluter and Flamboyer likely to contest the lead.
Irish Constabulary should come across from barrier 8 in search of a position just behind the leaders, and the same can probably be said for Steel Zip. Pillar Of Creation and Stratum Star will make use of their good barrier draws to hold positions in midfield, with Elusive Catch and Timeless Prince behind them.
Sacred Star typically settles a long way back so barrier 1 could be somewhat problematic. He is likely to be joined by Time To Plunder and Mischievous Devil, who I’d expect to settle last from barrier 12.
The chances in the race don’t really go much deeper than Stratum Star, Sacred Star, Saluter and Irish Constabulary.
Stratum Star on his best form is by far and away the best horse in the race, but he has struggled this campaign. He did return to form last start behind Spill The Beans in the QTC Cup which was encouraging, but he has 61kg to lump here so he’ll have to be at his best to win.
Sacred Star is the other Group 1 winner in the field. He’s had two starts in Australia this campaign, both at Group 1 level, and he’s been beaten quite a long way in each. He wasn’t disgraced by any means in the Stradbroke where he finished 5th, but he was still beaten 7 lengths. The main issue for me is barrier 1 – he tends to get well back and barrier 1 could find him some trouble in the straight.
Saluter is the one I want to be on. He’s had two starts this campaign for a win and a second (by a nose). He will be up on speed in a race that looks only to have a moderate tempo, so he should get first run on his other rivals and has significantly less weight to carry. If he can pinch a break he could be hard to gun down. My only query for him is the 1400m.
The other one of interest is Irish Constabulary. This horse is 7 years old but has had just the 9 starts! He seems to get better with every run, and his past two wins have been in pretty convincing fashion. This is significantly harder than anything he’s faced so far but he’s a horse on the up and he couldn’t have been more impressive last start. Down in the weights, undefeated on soft tracks – he could be the value in the race.
Flamboyer the only other real chance but prepared to side with others.
The money so far has been for Sacred Star who now shares $4 favouritism. If either him or Stratum Star find their best here they will win, but I’m unconvinced they will.
1st SALUTER
2nd SACRED STAR
3rd STRATUM STAR
4th IRISH CONSTABULARY
