Lord Glitters win s the Strensall Stakes at York. Picture: Racingfotos.com
Lord Glitters remains on course for a tilt at the QIPCO-sponsored Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on October 20 despite a below-par run in the Woodbine Mile at Canada this month.
The grey was a leading fancy for the Grade 1 prize but got restless before the start and never figured under Jamie Spencer, finishing sixth of the eight runners. However, David O’Meara, trainer of the grey, says there were mitigating circumstances.
“The whole trip went wrong from the day we left England,” O’Meara said. “He didn’t get to Canada until late on the Thursday night what with delays, planes breaking down and all that carry on. The week before we were in limbo and he was in Amsterdam for four days doing nothing.”
Asked if the experience may have left a mark, he added: “Time will tell but he seems OK and we’ve got a bit of time between now and QIPCO British Champions Day. Last year [when he won the Balmoral Handicap on the card] was really good – at the furlong pole I think he had something like 17 horses still in front of him. Obviously, he is a very smart horse and we are looking forward to taking him there again for the QEII. We know he loves Ascot and goes on any ground, which is a great help.”
Before his trip to Canada, Lord Glitters had won the Group 3 Sky Bet And Symphony Group Strensall Stakes at York plus been placed in two Group 1 QIPCO British Champions Series races – the Queen Anne Stakes and Qatar Sussex Stakes.
