Monday Racebook: Gilbert Gardiner’s horses to follow and forgive out of Flemington Winter Finals

Herald Sun racing writer Gilbert Gardiner’s horses to follow and forgive out of Winter Finals Day at Flemington.

Sassy Boom is knocking on the door of another win. Picture: Scott Barbour/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Herald Sun racing writer Gilbert Gardiner’s horses to follow and forgive out of Winter Finals Day at Flemington on Saturday.

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FIVE TO FOLLOW 

SASSY BOOM (2nd, R9)

Gallant in defeat. Fired out from another wide barrier to settle on speed and gave her all late until $61 outsider MISS TARZY jumped out of the pack. Three runs under the belt now for Sassy Boom and primed to snare a deserved win fourth-up. CINDY FALLS (unplaced) also one to follow next start.

Miss Tarzy surges through the pack to win stylishly on resumption ✨@FreedmanRacing@stanley_jettpic.twitter.com/bdsS9WCjhR

— Racing.com (@Racing) July 5, 2025

BAYOU MUSIC (unplaced, R2)

Shallow race outside impressive winner BUCCLEUCH, but Bayou Music could be a spring three-year-old player for Godolphin towards the Victoria Derby. Stalked the eventual winner in the run from well back in the field but could not quicken as sharply to get into the race. The son of Street Boss out of a Zabeel mare should thrive at 2000m and beyond.

It's the third time in the last five years that @mj_payne's stable has taken out the Taj Rossi Final, this time through Buccleuch's dominant display 🙌 pic.twitter.com/F4BZOvV0gZ

— Racing.com (@Racing) July 5, 2025

PEREILLE (2nd, R3)

Fourth start of the campaign so expected to do so and duly delivered with a hard fought second. Marble Nine too good, too tough and too fit late but Pereille lost no admirers back in Melbourne after three solid hit-outs in Sydney. Clocked the fastest closing sectionals on the card. INHIBITIONS (3rd) just peaked on the run first-up. The Godolphin pair should be hard to hold out next start.

Marble Nine has to dig deep but proves to have the strength to overcome a chasing pack in the Listed Santa Ana Lane Sprint Series Final 🔥@liamriordan97 gets a well-earned Listed winner for the first time 🙌@MaluaRacingpic.twitter.com/vXKBNjraCK

— Racing.com (@Racing) July 5, 2025

DUCHESS ZOU (3rd, R6)

Not quite sharp enough to go with eventual runner-up SHE’S AN ARTIST in pursuit of BRIDAL WALTZ (1st) but motored the last 200m once fully into stride. Has improved markedly with racing in a short time, second in a Ballarat maiden eight weeks ago followed by easy back-to-back Sale and Geelong wins.

Bridal Waltz grabbed the lead early & clings on to cause a major boilover to hold off the heavy favourite in the A.R. Creswick Stakes 😤@[e-mail]/wtkHsIWAyI

— Racing.com (@Racing) July 5, 2025

BERKELEY SQUARE (unplaced, R8)

First-up after a break and raced solidly over an unsuitable distance. The Ballarat Cup-winner saved ground midfield under apprentice jockey Jaylah Kennedy and worked through his gears nicely in the straight, albeit in and around tiring horses. Looks set for a nice preparation this campaign.

Jimmy The Bear becomes a winter champion! 🐻

The lovable old marvel is victorious in the Winter Championship Final of 2025, after being the beaten favourite of 2023 🏆@[e-mail]/tQf3RC5gnM

— Racing.com (@Racing) July 5, 2025

FORGIVE

OH TOO GOOD (unplaced, R8)

Unable to burn the candle at both ends. Had to be used up from the wide draw to land outside the leader, who kept on rolling at a solid clip. Oh Too Good tried hard but could not sustain the effort. Earned a break and should be back for the spring.

SHE’S AN ARTIST (2nd, R6)

Rolled odds-on pop not ideal, but it is all ahead of the electric filly. Two wins and now second in a stakes’ race a wonderful start to her racing career. She’s An Artist is a neat filly on the smaller side so two weeks’ between runs maybe not her go at this point in time. Stick with her and FIELDELO (4th).

STREET ARTIST (unplaced, R1)

First-starter around the mark in the run but copped a bump at about the 350m and lost momentum. Under pressure immediately after the contact and took the best part of 200m to balance up again. Should be better for the experience and around a bend next time.

CAPTAIN ELECTRIC (unplaced, R5)

A post-race veterinary examination found the gelding lame in the right hind leg. A genuine wet tracker not suited by conditions last Saturday. In the market the past two starts and disappointed on improving surfaces. Tough in drought conditions to find wet tracks but Captain Electric could benefit from an easier midweek metro option on rain-affected ground to regain confidence.

Originally published as Monday Racebook: Gilbert Gardiner’s horses to follow and forgive out of Flemington Winter Finals