Barrier no bar for Man Of His Word

Man of His Word’s wide barrier in the Glasshouse Handicap at the Sunshine Coast has not dented his trainer’s confidence the sprinter is a genuine contender.

The Bruce Hill-trained four-year-old will run as one of the favourites in Saturday’s 1400m-Listed race despite drawing 14 of 15.

He was one of the stars of the Brisbane summer winning his first stakes race in the Brisbane Handicap before finishing second to Cylinder Beach in the Bernborough Stakes.

Hill planned to target the Group One Stradbroke Handicap in the winter but scuttled those plans when the meeting was moved from Eagle Farm to Doomben.

“It proved to be right because the way the Stradbroke was run he would have been too far back on the corner,” Hill said.

“We then decided to set him for the Glasshouse which is the perfect race for him.”

Hill’s belief Man Of His Word would not be suited against class horses on the tight Doomben track was proved right at the gelding’s past two starts.

Man Of His Word was unlucky when held up for a clear run in the Spear Chief Stakes and then got caught in the wrong part of the track when third in the Mumm Stakes last Saturday.

“He does have a wide barrier at the Sunshine Coast but from that start it isn’t always a disadvantage. He would get back anyway,” Hill said.

“One thing there is a stack of pace in the Glasshouse and I would be shocked if it isn’t run at a true pace. That will suit my bloke.”

Man Of His Word could head to Sydney and Melbourne in the spring but Hill is also considering another summer in Brisbane.