Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
New Zealand-bred five-year-old Montana Glory has resumed after a spell in splendid form and appears likely to develop into one of the State’s best mares after convincing victories at her first two appearances after a spell.
She was the $2.90 favourite from the outside barrier in a field of eight in the 1730m HTA Setting New Standards In Hoisting Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night when she annihilated her rivals.
The victory gave Jim and Wilma Giumelli’s Swandoo Harness Racing syndicate and trainer Mike Reed a double after winning the opening event with Water Lou. It also completed a treble for leading reinsman Shannon Suvaljko.
The $3.40 second fancy Linebacker took the lead after 550m and set a brisk pace from Classic Choice ($6) in the breeze. Montana Glory settled down in last place and was sixth at the bell before she sprinted strongly to get to the front 375m from home and win by just under four lengths from Linebacker, rating a smart 1.55.2.
“She went real good last week (winning by more than four lengths from Seven No Trumps), and during the week she sat behind Water Lou and finished only a couple of lengths behind her,” said Suvaljko.
“This was a winnable race as long as they went hard early. She was a good horse in New Zealand, but she lost her way here a little bit. She was consistent but not as strong.
“Once she had a break and came back, she was showing that she had adopted to our weather.”
Montana Glory raced seven times as a two-year-old in New Zealand for one win, four placings and stakes of $55,528. Three of those placings were in Group 1 feature events. She is by Always B Miki and is the first foal out of the unraced Mach Three mare Pacific Glory.