Racing: Visitor needs a turn for better

A private workout today should tell top Australian horseman John Caldow whether he has pulled the right rein bringing Just Glorious to Auckland for tomorrow's $300,000 Canam Rowe Cup.

Just Glorious earned himself the trip by winning a A$50,000 ($62,000) group one mile at Menangle in New South Wales last Sunday.

But because the transtasman raid was only on if Just Glorious won last Sunday, Caldow and his wife Maree, who trains the trotter, have spent very little time working him right-handed.

"We were so intent on getting him spot-on for Menangle this was always an afterthought only if we won," said John Caldow last night.

"So we really haven't done much with him the Alexandra Park way, which is why I came over earlier than usual this week.

"We will take him to Alexandra Park tomorrow morning [today] and give him a good look at the place."

Alexandra Park, the only major right-hand harness racing track in Australasia, can unsettle even the best horses at their first start there, especially trotters.

"We will know a lot more after the workout but it is valuable experience for him and the race has a great stake."

While Just Glorious doesn't rate as highly as Australia's best trotter, Sundon's Gift, his open class career is still in its infancy.

"He was an awesome 4-year-old last season but like a lot of horses he has taken a while to get used to open class," explains Caldow.

"But his last four or five runs have been really good.

"And this trip will tell us where we stand for the future."

The decision to make the trip was made easier by the withdrawal of star trotters like Stig and Sovereignty and Caldow says it is the logical next step.

"We deal with a lot of the Kiwi trainers who come to Victoria and to make the most of the opportunities you have to travel if you have the right horse," said Caldow. "This horse is still quite young for a trotter and if he handles this trip well we would love to come back for more of your big races."

Just Glorious is rated a $16 chance by the TAB but that is not a true reflection of where he stands in the pecking order, with $1.40 favourite One Over Kenny skewing the market.

While he will be having his first Alexandra Park start, Caldow will be having only his second - remarkable for one of Australia's best reinsmen with nearly 3000 wins, more than any New Zealand horseman of any code.

"I drove here in an Interdominion consolation race once and that was it, so I am looking forward to the experience.

"And One Over Kenny aside - because she is a very good mare - I think he [Just Glorious] is as good as the rest of them."