Holder began the season with a winning treble at Victoria Park last weekend and hopes to keep the early momentum going. He has four rides this Saturday – all for Leon Macdonald - but the one that holds the most attraction is Great Glen. Each morning for the last eight weeks, Holder he has been aboard the gelding, keen for his return.

"He’s an exciting horse on the way up," Holder said. "I’ve won both starts on him and am happy to be able to kick off again this time in."

Great Glen made his debut with a nine-length win in a restricted two-year-old race at Murray Bridge in January, but made the step up to Group class by winning the Group 2 Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Cheltenham Park next start, fighting on doggedly to beat Yell and Presumed Innocent.

"He has led at both his starts but I don’t think he has to," Holder said. "On debut he just couldn’t go any slower, but he had to work to cross from a wide gate in the Breeders’ Stakes. The most impressive thing about him is that he was taken on in the lead in that race at about the half-mile. He was never going to let the horse (Yell) past him and he really dug deep to win."

Great Glen has trialled over 688m in slow conditions at Cheltenham Park, winning easily. But this campaign will be his big test.

"A lot of horses win as two-year-olds and don’t come up again, but he trialled like a good horse," Holder said. "But if he’s going to Melbourne this time in, he’d have to run pretty well on Saturday. He’s a beautiful, big strong horse but this will be a good test for him. Leon will make his plans after seeing what he does on Saturday but I hope I get the chance to stick with him."

Noted speedsters Romilada, Corps Commander, the towering grey Kurt and Court Hero will test his meddle this weekend.

Media Release - Jason Hickson (TRSA)

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