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By Ray Hickson

Ben Osmond will take a very different opinion of Glory Daze into Saturday’s Listed $200,000 Kia Lord Mayors Cup (2000m) at Rosehill than he did when scoring an upset win last weekend.

Ben Osmond (Pic: Bradley Photos)

Boosted by the Ciaron Maher-trained gelding’s superior staying performance in the heavy ground at Randwick, Osmond says he can take confidence from the win as he eyes his first stakes win at just his second ride at Group or Listed level.

Glory Daze, $6 with TAB on Thursday, started $41 when he enhanced his 2000m record with his strong win third-up and Osmond said there’s no reason why he can’t repeat it.

“I didn’t really think he was a chance on his recent form but he got out to his right distance and he seemed to like the wet track,’’ he said.

“If they’re backing him up he’s obviously pulled up well and if the track is anything like last week he should go well.

“I’d be more confident this time especially if it stays in the heavy range. I’ll try to ride him similar to last start.”

Osmond said with his inside barrier it’s important that Glory Daze jumps as well as he did last week to enable him to put him in a position to be ridden to his strengths.

The six-year-old clearly enjoys soft and heavy tracks and his 2000m stats now read three wins and a second from four starts.

“He’s a big horse and he’ll probably wanting to be building the revs before most,’’ he said.

“You’ve got to get the first half of the race right then go from there. I’d have to get out at the right time but he looks a good ride.”

Kind Words was beaten in a blanket finish at Scone fourth-up from a spell and Osmond would like to think the Captivant @ Kia Ora Handicap (1800m) is a good chance for her to break through.

The Kris Lees-trained mare has won twice in 20 starts and went down narrowly behind Cormac T and Gentileschi, both rivals again on Saturday.

“Arguably she could have won last start, I had to redirect her a couple of times and that may have stopped her momentum a bit,’’ Osmond said.

“The extra 100m she will benefit from and she’s won on a heavy so everything seems to be going well for her.

“She can hold a more forward spot if we do have that luck and are able to get in but if not she will just have to go back and get cover.”

Another Lees-trained mare Like Lukey is a horse Osmond says shouldn’t be underestimated in the Precise Air Handicap (1500m) after a pleasing return.

She stormed home from near the tail to run second in the Country Cup (1400m) at Scone, a run he says sets her up well for another handy preparation.

Glory Daze wins at Randwick on May 24

“She’s obviously come back well this time and she will keep improving as she steps up in distance,’’ he said.

“She’s drawn a better barrier but she’s a bit of a handful in the gates and doesn’t always begin on terms. If she can begin and be midfield it won’t be such a big task to run them down.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Rosehill meeting