Spring is in the air as a high-quality jump-out session takes place at Caulfield on Wednesday.
Twelve heats over 800m are scheduled, with Group 1 winners including Magic Time, Attrition, Pinstriped, Desert Lightning, La Dorada, Smokin’ Romans and Mornington Glory featuring in the opening trial.
Mornington Glory was originally set to trial at Cranbourne on Monday, but with the session moved to the Polytrack, trainer Gavin Bedggood opted for the grass surface at Caulfield.
Bedggood is planning a similar early-season path to last year, where Mornington Glory strung together three Moonee Valley wins, capped off by the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m).
He kicked off that campaign with the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes, followed by victories in a Benchmark 100 and the Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m).
“He’s in great order,” Bedggood said.
“He’ll have a jump-out on Wednesday then 12 days later he’ll trial again and then kick-off in the Carlyon into the Moir like we did last year.”
Mornington Glory has not raced since finishing third in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1200m) last October.
An autumn campaign was shelved after he wrenched a joint in a lead-up to the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate.
“Probably a month ago, I didn’t think so, but since he’s been doing a bit more it’s really brought him on and each week he’s improved,” Bedggood said.