NewsBite

Monday Racebook: Gilbert Gardiner’s horses to follow and forgive

Herald Sun racing writer Gilbert Gardiner’s horses to follow and forgive out of CF Orr Stakes Day at Caulfield.

Gilbert GardinerGilbert Gardiner
@gilbertgardiner
2 min read
February 10, 2025 - 11:19AM
Tycoon Star won the Maribyrnong Plate on debut last spring. Picture: Michael Klein
Tycoon Star won the Maribyrnong Plate on debut last spring. Picture: Michael Klein

Herald Sun racing writer Gilbert Gardiner’s horses to follow and forgive out of CF Orr Stakes Day at Caulfield.

FIVE TO FOLLOW

TYCOON STAR (4th, Race 4)

All honours to the Blue Diamond Prelude winner FIELD OF PLAY but loved the way Tycoon Star finished the race off without the clearest of runs. Four back the rail on straightening and then forced to check off heels about 250m from home. Lindsay Park has followed their Little Brose path to the Blue Diamond with Tycoon Star and same result would not surprise.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

MISS CELINE (4th, Race 5)

Lovely Blue Diamond trial, without much luck. Carbon copy of Lindsay Park stablemate Tycoon Star in the colts and geldings Prelude earlier, Miss Celine settled back in the field and worked through to run fourth. Forced to work off heels in the straight and hit the line.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

EVAPORATE (3rd, Race 7)

Good thing licked? No knock on Group 2 Autumn Stakes winner ANGEL CAPITAL but Evaporate certainly entitled to finish a lot closer, if not get the result. Went to the line largely untested as pocketed early in the straight inside JENNI THE FOX (6th) and behind the tiring CATOGGIO (7th). Lock him into favourite for The NZB Kiwi (1500m) slot race at Ellerslie, New Zealand next month.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

MISS ARIA (unplaced, Race 6)

Missed the start a length and chances all but extinguished behind a slow tempo. Tried hard closer to the rail without much momentum but could do no better than fifth. Only beaten 2-3/4 lengths in what largely ended up being barrier trial with prizemoney.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

KIRRIBILLI (unplaced, Race 10)

Solid return from a break, after being scratched twice in recent weeks due to track upgrades. Saved ground around the bend, next to last on straightening, but the rail probably not the place to be late on the card. Stuck on soundly late to run fifth. TOBEORNOTTOBE (2nd) went super first-up and only collared by the race fit and talented ARABIAN SUMMER late.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Aleppo Pine pulled up lame after the Blue Diamond Prelude. Picture: George Sal/Racing Photos via Getty Images
Aleppo Pine pulled up lame after the Blue Diamond Prelude. Picture: George Sal/Racing Photos via Getty Images

FORGIVE

ALEPPO PINE (unplaced, Race 4)

Led and weakened out meekly in the straight but a post-race veterinary examination found the Godolphin colt lame in the left foreleg. Star jockey Jamie Melham suggested the raw colt would be better suited racing with cover next time. Won with authority on debut late last year, smothered up and exposed late for big finish.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

MAHARBA (4th, Race 6)

Handy return and probably not suited by a sluggish early tempo. First run since a slashing second in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) in Perth last November. Maharba has won and been runner-up twice apiece second-up previously. Discount going forward at your peril.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

ELPHINSTONE (unplaced, Race 8)

Forget she went around. Jumped well and went forward from barrier 10 only to be stranded three-wide without cover. Under pressure a long way from home but stuck to the task boldly and beaten less than four lengths. Deep in six-run campaign, races well-spaced, but worth another go in similar grade.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

SCHWARZ (unplaced, Race 9)

Too bad to be true after strong Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) win at The Valley first-up. Champion jockey Blake Shinn told stewards the colt raced too keenly in the lead and failed to finish the race off.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

STEWARDS SAY

Jockey TEO NUGENT received a 14-meeting careless riding suspension following an incident at The Valley on Friday night. Nugent allowed his mount to shift out when not sufficiently clear of another runner and significant interference.

CRAIG WILLIAMS (careless riding) and trainer CHRIS WALLER (late gear change) escaped with reprimands separate indiscretions.

Originally published as Monday Racebook: Gilbert Gardiner’s horses to follow and forgive

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

More related stories

Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/horse-racing/monday-racebook-gilbert-gardiners-horses-to-follow-and-forgive/news-story/f728d15c033cecfbead69a6178e4eb32