NewsBite

Monday Racebook: Gilbert Gardiner’s horses to follow, forgive at Caulfield

Herald Sun and Racenet racing writer Gilbert Gardiner’s recap of Saturday’s Caulfield card.

Gilbert GardinerGilbert Gardiner
@gilbertgardiner
3 min read
July 1, 2024 - 6:00AM
Damian Lane returned to scale aboard Fleetwood. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images
Damian Lane returned to scale aboard Fleetwood. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

Herald Sun and Racenet racing writer Gilbert Gardiner’s recap of Saturday’s Caulfield card.

FIVE TO FOLLOW

FLEETWOOD (3rd, R8)

Beaten 4½ lengths after he blew the start by five pretty much sums up the situation. A bitter pill to swallow for favourite backers and those with confetti multi-bets and quadrella tickets. Fleetwood looked one of the better bets on the card until he ducked his head and stepped back simultaneously as the barriers opened. Jockey Damian Lane managed to get back in touch with the field and cut the corner to save ground around the bend but left with an impossible task. Credit to WHISTLEFIELD (1st) though, the fast filly burned along in front and put opposition to the sword. AMIGO (5th) finished off nicely first-up also.

ENNA’S DREAM (2nd, R5)

The next Caulfield meeting cannot come quick enough for trainer Alexander Rae and connections of Enna’s Dream. First run for a month after being scratched a fortnight ago and, dropped in distance as a result, but finished like a train. Rae has a 1400m race at Caulfield earmarked on July 13 for the three-year-old filly, who should be mighty hard to beat there.

SHEVA (unplaced, R5)

Trapped wide in the run, behind the eventual winner BOSSY NIC, and blended into contention around the bend on straightening but fitness told late. First-up 1200m on a rain-affected surface against race fit opposition a tall enough order for the three-year-old filly. Won second-up last campaign. Stick with her.

BUTTERNUT PRINCESS (4th, R1)

Fast out and settled behind the leaders, on heels midrace as the pace slackened a fraction and then pocketed as impressive winner FIRST SETTLER surged past on a three-wide line. Butternut Princess, while not match for the winner or runner-up LANDMARK, both sprinted faster inside the last 200m, got going again late to be in a photo finish for third. Should take benefit greatly from the experience.

ALECTRONA (4th, R7)

No match for the first three past the post, they quickened better on the surface, but only second up and wet track not necessarily her go. Better suited for the run and should be in the finish wherever she heads to next. MISS ROUMBINI (1st) ultra-impressive to win from a seemingly impossible position especially as race was run to suit the leaders REGAL MIGHT (2nd) and EUGENIUS (3rd).

Why Worry among a number of horses not to handle the conditions at Caulfield on Saturday. Picture: Jay Town/Racing Photos via Getty Images)
Why Worry among a number of horses not to handle the conditions at Caulfield on Saturday. Picture: Jay Town/Racing Photos via Getty Images)

FORGIVE

CHORLTON LANE (unplaced, R10)

First and last time on wet ground, if at all possible. Ideal race on paper for the favourite, a five-time winner from 11 starts, but the lightly-raced four-year-old refused to let down in the conditions. Tracked eventual winner RHEINBERG in the run but lost ground when he appeared to take an awkward step around the bend.

WHY WORRY (unplaced, R6)

There to pounce on the turn but wheels spun on the rain-affected ground. Forget the ex-Hong Kong galloper went around, should be much better on firmer surfaces. Showed enough speed, upside and grit first-up at Caulfield to stick with the lightly-raced five-year-old sprinter.

FOUJITA SAN (unplaced, R9)

Not suited by the conditions and never a factor in a moderately-run 2000m Quality Handicap. Under pressure before the bend and one-paced in straight, reluctant to stretch out on the rain-affected surface. Doesn’t win out of turn, four of 21 starts, but can bounce back on firmer ground.

First Settler in full flight under Michael Dee. Picture: Scott Barbour/Racing Photos via Getty Images
First Settler in full flight under Michael Dee. Picture: Scott Barbour/Racing Photos via Getty Images

CRUNCH TIME

FIRST SETTLER (1st, R1)

ould not have been any more impressive on debut. Ridden like the best horse in the race and duly saluted with ears pricked. Enjoyed best of the conditions, track started on the better side of a Good 4 and recorded the quickest last 800m (44.24sec), 600m (33.59sec), 400m (22.23sec) and 200m (11.04sec) on the card.

LITTLE JACK (1st, R3)

Put panels on the field in a hurry to run out a 2.75 length winner and stop the clock at 2:02.97 – an overall 14.34 lengths faster than standard comparison time for a 2000m Benchmark 78 at Caulfield on a Soft 5 surface. GOLDEN CRUSADER (5th) went quick early, 3.4 lengths above standard, but Little Jack maintained the rage late – 5.8 lengths better last 400m.

STEWARDS SAY

MISS ICELANDIC (unplaced, R2): Rider Ben Allen reported his mount raced keenly in the lead and did not finish the race off. He added that the mare would be better suited on firmer tracks.

SHULTZY (2nd, R4): Stood flat footed at the start and lost five lengths. Trainer Pat Cannon told Shultzy must compete in a jumpout to the satisfaction of stewards before being permitted to race again.

FLEETWOOD (3rd, R8): As the start was effected got its head down and as a result was slow to begin and lost ground (five lengths). The James Cummings stable was notified a warning would be recorded against the gelding.

Apprentice jockey TATUM BULL fined $300 for weighing in more than half a kilogram over her declared riding weight in Race 7.

Originally published as Monday Racebook: Gilbert Gardiner’s horses to follow, forgive at Caulfield

More related stories

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/horse-racing/monday-racebook-gilbert-gardiners-horses-to-follow-forgive-at-caulfield/news-story/cb026350b1f3c84d140a3bceb22d2caa