Warwick Farm trainer Marc Conners is the first to admit Bathurst Soldier’s Saddle contender Global Start has been plagued by bad luck and misfortune throughout her 19-start career.

However, following the four-year-old’s last start win at Orange, Conners is hopeful the mare’s confidence has returned and she can continue her winning run in the $25,000, 1400m Anzac Day feature tomorrow.

As a juvenile filly Global Star was considered good enough to contest Victoria’s premier two-year-old race, the Group One Blue Diamond.

Conners and the syndicate of owners from around Australia who race the daughter of Agnes World were shattered when, after drawing barrier one, she was flattened soon after the start in the 2006 event, eventually finishing eighth to the David Hayes-trained Nadeem.

The misfortune was a portent to her future.

“She’s just been one of those horses, got plenty of ability but been plagued by bad luck,” the son of four-time Golden Slipper winning trainer Clarry Conners said. “She’s been flattened several times, had no luck and just lost all confidence.

“She was whacked that hard one day at Canterbury (February, 2007) she cracked a rib and we had to turn her out.

“When she came back she got into trouble again and tore a hamstring in her hind leg and was out for eight months.

“I’d tried blinkers, winkers, pacifiers, everything, but nothing worked. She’s on the small side and after all that’s happened to her was reluctant to take runs between horses.

“I decided to take her up to Orange last time to try and give her a kill (win) to boost her confidence. She actually pushed a horse out of the way to get clear and charged home to win which was a good sign.

“Now she’s won again, hopefully she’s got confidence back and understands she’s able to win now.”

Global Start’s first win since her two-year-old campaign came in the Soldier’s Saddle Prelude (1300m) on April 11 when, ridden by Craig Agnew, she rattled home to beat Gold Sultan.

It was a bumper day for Conners with Western Beau beating subsequent Dubbo Zoo City Cup winner Nampara Bullet in the $25,000 Colour City Cup. Western Beau will start in Sunday’s $60,000 Tamworth Cup.

Conners has booked champion bush jockey Greg Ryan for Global Start at Bathurst.

“Having Greg is a bonus, a real plus,” Conners said. “Global Start has trained on very well.

“She’s been up for a while and I’ve backed off her and she’s appreciated it.

“If she comes through Friday well we’ll take her down to Wagga for the Diamond Rose.”

 By Tony White