Adnocon is in good shape going into the Glasshouse Handicap

After defending his Eye Liner Stakes title against a Listed field at Ipswich first up for this prep, few could argue that Adnocon looks the goods going into the Glasshouse Stakes at Caloundra tomorrow.

Last year he fell only a length short of completing the double when Woorim produced his trademark burst late in the piece to run over the top of him.

There are a couple of key differences between last year though and what he faces now in 2011.

Previously he faced the Glasshouse Handicap in his fourth run of the prep, while he certainly wasn’t tired as such it’s probably that a little bit of that closing zip had been run out of him.

This year though trainer Gerald Ryan has kept him fresh, he goes in second up and after proving his fitness last start this horse will be in fantastic shape.

“Reports are very good, horse has done well, possibly improved which you think he would off a first up run,” Ryan said.

One thing working against him though is barrier 16, it causes a couple of problems tactically and adds extra pressure to the jockey.

“He’s going to need luck form a wide draw and we won’t want to see the track getting any worse than it is now,” Ryan said.

“They’ve been hammered up there for the last seven months, it’s just a shame.”

He does say though that of all the places to get a bad draw, it’s probably not quite crucial on the Sunshine Coast.

“It’s nearly 3.5 furlongs to the first corner, It’s a big wide track and its banked…if you’re going to draw wide its probably the best track to draw wide on,” he said.

After Damian Browne rode him so well it Ipswich new jockey Glen Colless will have plenty of pressure, Browne moving off the mount in favour of defending champ Woorim.

“Glen rode him last year when he run second to Woorim, he was going to ride him at Ipswich before he got suspended,” Ryan said.

“Damian to Glen Colles, you’re not disadvantaged very much.”