Wanganui Cup Win for Glory Days

Media Release - Saturday December 1

Waverley mare Glory Days maintained her picket fence form-line with a dominant victory in the Listed Cambridge Thoroughbred Lodge Wanganui Cup (2040m) on Saturday.

Glory Days - RAce ImagesIt was the fourth victory in succession for the six-year-old mare, who is quickly becoming one of New Zealand's most promising stayers.

The daughter of Red Giant relished the solid tempo set by China Star, coming from well off the pace to win with plenty in hand under a composed Lisa Allpress ride.

"It was a very, very good win," trainer Bill Thurlow said.

"I just said to Lisa before she went out there, take all of the luck out of the equation. I said just get her out in the middle of the track and I had a lot of faith in her and she did it perfectly."

Thurlow has made no secret that he believes Glory Days, now the winner of eight races from 20 starts, could potentially be the best horse he has trained.

"It has been common knowledge in the press that once we get over ground, I think she is a very good horse and she proved it today," he said.

The farmer and part-time horse trainer has previously prepared Referred to finish second in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m), while Yours won eight races and ran fourth in the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m).

Glory Days is on a path towards the Gr.3 City of Auckland Cup (2400m) at Ellerslie on New Year's Day and also holds early nominations for the Gr.3 NZ Campus For Innovation & Sport Wellington Cup (3200m) on January 19 and the Gr.1 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) in March.

Advertisement

"I am not one hundred percent sure where we are going to go, we just need to map out the right plan for her," Thurlow said.

"She's a horse that doesn't need a lot of work and she's better with her races spaced."

Glory Days has been patiently handled by Thurlow and did not race until she was four.

"She's a mare that's taken a long time to mature," he said. "There's not a lot of her and in her younger days she probably wasn't 100 percent right mentally either.

"We let her develop and tell us when she was ready to go over further, and she was sort of telling us that after her second start this season."

Glory Days is one of twelve horses in training at the Thurlow family's Stainley Park in Waverley, which they operate alongside their farming business.

The winner of more than $160,000 in prizemoney, Glory Days is raced by Thurlow's brother Grant, his wife Patricia, and his neighbours and fellow farmers Brent and Sue McAree. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Third Generation Epsom Derby Hero for Coolmore
The Group I Epsom Derby (1m4f) was the big highlight overnight in the UK and the scratching of Godolphin owned favourite Ruling Court due to track condition meant it was an open affair with the second string horse from Ballydoyle in Lambourn coming up trumps and also bringing joy for the Aussie offshoot of his family.
Third Group 1 Victory For Zoustar’s Sensational Joliestar
Cambridge Stud's outstanding Zoustar mare Joliestar was simply sensational, charging late to win the $1m BRC Kingsford-Smith Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm, her third Group 1 victory.
Cosmic Fire a New SW for Cosmic Force
Sunshine Coast trainer Billy Healey was thrilled to have a stakes-winner on a big carnival day at Eagle Farm with his talented Cosmic Force three year-old gelding Cosmic Fire soaring to new heights when taking out the $200,000 Listed BRC Queensland Day Stakes (1200m).
Capitalist Colt Records Back To Back Wins
Off the back of an explosive victory last time out at Hawkesbury when breaking his maiden by just shy of four lengths, Nathan Doyle’s Hidden Motive (Capitalist) justifiably jumped the short-priced favourite in the $160,000 Precise Air Handicap (1100m) at Randwick.
Group 1 Queensland Oaks For So You Think's You Wahng
With form around some of the best 3yo staying fillies in the country, the Kris Lees trained You Wahng was too strong, winning the $700,000 Group 1 BRC Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm.
Star Emperor Soars to Jumbo Jet Win
Star Emperor (NZ) (Red Giant) could have been bought for $10,000 at the 2015 Select Sale at Karaka, and on Sunday he scored a brilliant victory in the S$175,000 Jumbo Jet Trophy (1400m) at Kranji.
Bold Maison Louis Resolute In Queensland Derby
The training partnership of John O’Shea and Tom Charlton continues to flourish as evidenced by a stable quinella in Saturday’s Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) as Maison Louis defeated King Of Thunder in a perfect result for the Sydney trainers.
First Group Victory For $3.5m Earner Front Page
Having raced at Flemington, Rosehill and Ascot at his last three starts, the Matthew Dale trained Front Page travelled to his fourth different state in as many starts, winning the $300,000 G2 BRC Moreton Cup at Eagle Farm.
Sires With Winners - Saturday June 7
Here is the full list of 123 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Glory Days Wins G2 Avondale Cup
Waverley visitor Glory Days made her first visit to Ellerslie a memorable one when she fought tooth and nail to win the Group II Coca-Cola Avondale Cup (2400m) at Ellerslie.