After an aborted spring campaign, trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr are looking forward to seeing Globe (NZ) (Charm Spirit) back on the racetrack.
That will come on Saturday in the Gr.3 Victoria Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield.
A winner of his first four starts, Globe was thrown into the deep end in the spring, running first-up in the Gr.2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley last September.
But the race went pear-shaped for Globe who was beaten more than 30 lengths, later to be diagnosed with atrial fibrillation.
Globe has won two Cranbourne jump-outs in preparation for his return and Kent Jnr said he is expecting a good preparation from the gelding who stands around 17 hands high.
“He is going really well,” Kent Jnr said.
“He just looks right ahead of his first-up run. He didn’t look right last preparation, but all those issues are behind him.”
“My gut tells me it was a once off and we won’t be talking about it ever again.”
Kent Jnr said Globe had filled out a little but had also grown mentally.
He said the gelding now does everything in a nicer manner, rather wanting to get things over and done with on the training track.
Now the trainers want to see that transferred to race day and Kent Jnr said having Buffalo River entered in Saturday’s race was likely to make it a truly run affair.
“Buffalo River makes it interesting because if we are in front of him after a furlong it means we are going too fast,” Kent Jnr said.
“So, it would be nice to take a sit off him.
“Globe won his maiden over 1400 metres, now we’re up against more seasoned horses who have been competing in Group 1’s, and we’re at our sixth start.
“It’s going to be a good test for him, but mentally he has really grown up.”
With Celine Gaudray, who rode Globe in two of his four wins, booked to partner Buffalo River, Jye Mcneil has the mount on Globe on Saturday.
“Jye is a great fit for him. He has nice soft hands and will suit him well,” Kent Jnr said.
