Workaround for large race bash?

[Xanathol]

On TLPs, large races that get slam also get 2h bash out of the box. I'm trying to implement this via the global_player.pl file in the connect function but can't get it to fire (I've implemented some custom AAs here that do work but this is the only one race based). Here's the code, cut down to just the pertinent parts:

sub EVENT_CONNECT {
	# 2her bash 
	if( $race == "Ogre" or $race == "Troll" or $race == "Barbarian" )
	{	$client->GrantAlternateAdvancementAbility(79, 1);
	}

	# class based custom AA
	if( $class == "Warrior" )
	{	$client->GrantAlternateAdvancementAbility(30200, 1);
	}
}

Simply put, the first one doesn't work but the class based one does.

Any ideas? Is it possible the $race global isn't being set and if so, what would be the work around (I tried $client->GetRace( ) on a whim but no-go).