Beefed up Galifianakis needs run warns Bruce

By Glenn Davis

Deagon trainer Jack Bruce is hoping his decision to bypass the winter carnival will reap its rewards after promising stayer Galifianakis makes his return to the race track at Eagle Farm on Wednesday.

Galifianakis steps out for the first time since early April when he tackles the Benchmark 68 Handicap over 1400 metres.

The lightly raced son of Dandy Man turns six in a month and has only started 13 times for four wins and seven placings.

He was originally trained by 'Team Hawkes' in Sydney but made his race debut for the all-conquering Chris Waller stable in February last year.

However, after failing to win in seven starts for Waller, Galifianakis was sold and sent to Bruce who cut his teeth in the racing game working as a foreman for Sydney’s Bjorn Baker and Melbourne’s Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.

Bruce believes Galifianakis is well short of his peak condition and will take further improvement from his return appearance.

“I think he’ll need this run as he’s still quite fat and woolly,” Bruce said before jetting out to Ireland.

“We gave him a short break while the winter carnival was on and hopefully he’ll develop over the spring into a good Saturday class horse.

“He’s come back in great order but he’ll be more of a betting proposition once he gets over 2000 metres later on.”

Galifianakis has started six times for Bruce, stringing together four straight wins including his latest victory in a Benchmark race over 2210 metres at Ipswich on April 5.

Galifianakis has barrier trialled once before his first-up assignment, finishing fourth over 1200 metres at Deagon on June 13 and is the equal top weight with 61kgs along with the Dale Groves-trained Micro.

Toowoomba apprentice Jake Molloy has been booked and will utilize a three kilogram claim.

Bruce fears Galifianakis may find his return trip over 1400 metres a shade short and will be happy to see him finishing off strongly.

“He made giant strides last preparation when things went his way in races,” Bruce said.

“Hopefully, he will get the same favours later in this prep but for Wednesday we will simply be happy to see him get cover and hopefully pass a few in the straight.”