Globetrotting stayer Glass Harmonium might back up in the G2 Brisbane Cup after scoring a decisive victory in the G2 Eagle Farm Cup on Saturday.

Glass Harmonium (Ire) led the way in the weight-for-age feature formerly known as as the P J O’Shea Stakes.  He was still dictating at the finish to defeat Shoot Out (High Chaparral) and Scenic Shot (Scenic).

Trainer Mike Moroney will nominate Glass Harmonium for both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups but believes the Cox Plate is the logical goal in the spring.  “I’m tossing up with the Brisbane Cup next Saturday,” Moroney declared.  “I’ll wait until the weights are releases but it is a qualifying race for the Melbourne Cup.”

Glass Harmonium (5h Verglas – Spring Symphony by Darshaan) was a G3 winner of the Gordon Richards Stakes for Sir Michael Stoute before arriving at Moroney’s stable via Hong Kong.  “He had to go back to England from Hong Kong and had virtually been around the world twice before he got here.”

The grey was beaten four lengths by Snow Fairy in the G1 Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin last December and, after a 21 week spell, arrived in Australia for placings in the G2 Hollindale Stakes and G1 Doomben Cup.

Winning jockey Lisa Cropp was always confident Glass Harmonium would break through for his maiden victory in Australia.  “It was a super run. He relaxed beautifully and then quickened up.  He’s the real deal.”

Glass Harmonium is by former West Australian shuttler Verglas who died (aged 17) at the Irish National Stud last month.  

Verglas (Highest Honor) had been based in Co. Kildare since returning from John Andrew’s Alwyn Park in 2005.  He sired the Perth stakes winners Ma Chienne (Tattersall’s Cup), Royal Devotion (Jungle Mist Classic), Sheenasaidgrey (Perth Stakes), Spirited One (Champion Fillies Stakes) and Verossi (J C Roberts Stakes).

His European stakes winners have been headed by G1 winners Silver Frost (French 2000 Guineas) and Stormy River (Prix Jean Prat).  

Glass Harmonium is from Haydock 2400m winner Spring Symphony.  She is a sister to Hard Top (G2 York Great Voltigeur) and a half-sister to GB and USA Champion Conduit who won the Ascot King George VI, English St Leger and Breeders’ Cup Turf twice.