Veteran Hawkesbury trainer Mike Van Gestel isn’t a fan of trials, stables that resemble “prisons”, or social media.

The 81-year-old, the father of Hong Kong and former Racing NSW chief steward Marc, trains only his own horses, his way, without worrying about what anyone else thinks.

Van Gestel, though, believes his fast-finishing mare Dark Glitter, which faces her biggest test on Saturday in the $2 million The Invitation (1400m) at Randwick, deserves more respect.

A $67 (Sportsbet) chance for Saturday, Dark Glitter finished a half-length second in the Sheraco Stakes last month to Manaal, a $4.40 shot on Saturday, and was even closer when runner-up to Firestorm, $17 for the Invitation, in February in the Millie Fox Stakes.

The Invitation is another group 2 for mares and fillies but will

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