By Glenn Davis
Beaudesert trainer Di Murphy is looking for some rain to help Glen Ord end a frustrating run of placings at Doomben on Wednesday.
Rising eight-year-old Glen Ord has finished second at his past three starts and is looking for a change of luck in the Benchmark 75 Handicap (1625m).
“He’s looking for 1800 metres now but I still feel he’ll be hard to beat in this over a mile,” Murphy said.
“He’s as good as gold but he just needs the sting out of the track a bit so any rain will help.
“I can’t fault the way he’s racing. He’s run second at his last three starts but there were no excuses and he was beaten by better horses on the day.
“But I do feel he races better at Doomben as it’s softer than Eagle Farm.”
Former South African jockey Chris Taylor has been rewarded for turning up to trackwork at Beaudesert with his fourth ride on Glen Ord.
“Chris is based at the Gold Coast but he comes to Beaudesert to ride trackwork for me so I’ve put him on again.” Murphy said.
“He’s ridden him all three runs this campaign since he first rode him when he ran second at the Gold Coast first-up.”
Since his first-up run on May 1, Glen Ord has since finished second in a 1400-metre race at the Gold Coast on May 16 before a fast finishing second to Barefoot when stepping up to 1600 metres at Eagle Farm on June 13.
“He’s been knocking on the door and if we get some rain which is predicted it’ll be a big help,” Murphy said.
Murphy considered sending Glen Ord north for the Rockhampton Cup last year but has ruled out a trip this year.
“He’s not a good traveller and doesn’t like being in boxes. He likes being in a big yard,” she said.
“We thought about sending him up last year but decided against it and I doubt he’ll go north for the other Country Cup races this year.”
Murphy is in her eighth season as a trainer after learning the ropes working for New Zealand trainers Roger James, Gary Stewart and Kaye Tinsley.
She also had two stints, one for six months and another for a year, riding work in Japan.