Gilbert Gardiner’s horses to follow and forgive from Flemington on Saturday

Racing writer Gilbert Gardiner analyses Andrew Ramsden Day at Flemington, highlighting the horses that punters can follow with confidence at their next starts.

Racing writer Gilbert Gardiner analyses Andrew Ramsden Day at Flemington, highlighting the horses that punters can follow with confidence at their next starts.

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FIVE TO FOLLOW

LIM’S KOSCIUSZKO (0.4-length 3rd of 15, Race 6): Super effort by the former Singapore champion to run third in the Listed Straight Six (1200m) first-up at Flemington. Gave 6.5kg to the field and beaten only half a length in a promising Australian debut. Rising eight but still has fire in the belly. Faced a number of firsts – float ride to the races, straight racing and genuine rain-affected track – and passed with flying colours.

Good work if you found Title Fighter at $69! 🫨

Title Fighter wins the Straight Six at Flemington in the pouring rain! @c_douglasracing@thomas_prebblepic.twitter.com/Fo6Cj9vFFR

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) May 17, 2025

CINDY FALLS (1-length 3rd of 12, Race 3): Proven first-up performer – had won two of three starts fresh previously – and ran a bottler albeit forced to make do with third place, beaten a length. Cindy Falls settled at the rear and shifted off heels to cut loose widest in the straight. Recorded the fastest last 600m, 400m and 200m sectionals on the card but the track deteriorated thereafter with persistent rain. Cindy Falls is not as effective second-up (3: 0-0-1) but certainly put down a marker that she could be in for a solid preparation.

A Star showdown! ⭐

Star Sirus flys late to pip another Star on the line.@RJollyRacing@lil_spaino96pic.twitter.com/KTw86idQZ5

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) May 17, 2025

BUCCLEUCH (0.8-length 2nd of 12, Race 2): Backed off the map late, $20 into $10, and almost pulled off the plunge. Loomed large in the straight but peaked the last 150m as Listed winner HIGHVOL remained unbeaten after two starts. The Patrick and Michelle Payne-trained Buccleuch settled back in the field from a wide draw and would only be further inconvenienced at about the 1200m when he clipped heels and lost a length.

Highvol is 2️⃣ from 2️⃣

A potential J. J. Atkins place could await this special two-year-old! @nryanracing@Brown_ethan8pic.twitter.com/2W8S4N0GQk

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) May 17, 2025

BIG SEXY (2.3-length 6th of 10, Race 4): Finished strongly without a heap of luck in the straight. The Warrnambool maiden debut winner had to change course multiple times in the straight to work off heels but maintained a strong gallop. Hit the line nicely once clear inside the last 100m.

Zourain gets the nod on the inside!

A nice fourth up win for the three-year-old! @GriffithsRacingpic.twitter.com/bYyOlVYvbs

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) May 17, 2025

RHOOKY (3.1-length 6th of 17, Race 5): Least experienced of any runner in the field – second start after debut third place at Warrnambool a fortnight back – but handled the rise in class and conditions with aplomb. Settled back from the wide draw and went through the gears late to run sixth – beaten three lengths. Best work late.

Politely Dun finds his groove over 2000m!

That is his second win over the distance! @[e-mail]/elLC9hoa6J

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) May 17, 2025

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FORGIVE

It was a tough afternoon for a number of runners courtesy of persistent rain and a downgraded racing surface. It could pay to be forgiving generally as form out of the meeting is likely to be inconsistent given the conditions.

KING ZEPHYR (5.8-length 11th of 15, Race 6): First time on a genuinely rain-affected track and down the straight. Entitled to be forgiving off those two factors alone. Did a good job to win four on the bounce and warranted a shot in what appeared a winnable race on paper. Probably needed to be wider – closer the outside rail – to be effective but largely an end of preparation run.

ALMA RISE (14.7-length 13th of 18, Race 7): Travelled nicely midfield and had the winner’s back just about around the bend but the wheels spun in the wet conditions as soon as jockey Zac Spain asked for an effort. Forget she went around. BERKSHIRE BREEZE (10.1-length 8th) stuck on solidly but could not burn the candle at both ends. Worked early to hold a spot forward of centre – with cover – from the wide barrier and found the front too soon around the bend as the leaders, who went too hard too early in the conditions, folded up.

See you in the Melbourne Cup! 🏆

Basilinna heads straight to a Melbourne Cup after winning the Andrew Ramsden! @Em_spartaracingpic.twitter.com/4QJAQF3kRR

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) May 17, 2025

HARRY’S YACHT (3.3-length 7th of 9, Race 1): Slow to start and then crowded between horses. Raced keenly through the early stages and laid in under pressure. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be lame in the near hind leg.

Madame Maserati clicks into gear at the clock tower & goes right on by 🏎️@Logez27 timed that perfectly 👌@KennewellRacingpic.twitter.com/8fgiEDU17j

— Racing.com (@Racing) May 17, 2025

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STEWARDS SAY

Jockey BILLY EGAN copped a seven-meeting suspension and $500 fine for a whip indiscretion.

Egan used the persuader nine times prior to the last 100m – four more than permitted to do so – on FERNAO, placed third in the Listed Andrew Ramsden (2800m).

Egan started the suspension on Sunday and is eligible to ride next from Friday night.

Originally published as Gilbert Gardiner’s horses to follow and forgive from Flemington on Saturday