Trainer Matt Laurie holds Mornington Glory in high esteem and expects the colt to do most of his racing at stakes level.

A debut maiden winner at Bendigo, Mornington Glory headed straight to a stakes race at his second start finishing fifth to Kallos in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on October 2.

Start number three is on Saturday, the Group 3 Red Anchor Stakes (1200m) at The Valley, a race Laurie won last year with the recently retired Portland Sky.

He was happy with the son of Shalaa’s first shot at Group company noting the three-year-old was having only his second start and pitted against horses that had had multiple preparations, in good company.

“I think he’s a serious horse as it’s only his first preparation,” Laurie said.

“He’s probably more a 1400-metre to a miler type in time, but being his first preparation, this six-furlong race looks a logical step, and the signs are all really positive.

“He galloped really well on Tuesday at The Valley so I’m looking forward to seeing how he goes.”

Laurie had hoped Saturday’s contest may have come up a shade weaker than it has, but he is not deterred in heading to contest.

Mornington Glory sits on the third line of betting at $7 with TAB behind Dosh ($3.10) and Generation ($3.60).

“It’s a pretty handy race,” Laurie said.

“Dosh is very good and she’s going to pile on a heap of pressure from start to finish.

“I thought it might have been a little bit softer, but I think a lot of the horse and we go there fit and healthy, and we’ll give it a shake.

“We think he’s going to be racing in Group company his entire career and if it doesn’t happen this time around, I’m not going to get too worried about it.

“I think he’s got a big future.”