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

Herald Sun racing writer Gilbert Gardiner review of Flemington Finals Day.

Steel Run was in a class of his own at Flemington in the Mahogany Challenge Final. Picture: Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Herald Sun racing writer Gilbert Gardiner review of Flemington Finals Day.

FIVE TO FOLLOW

STEEL RUN (1st, R6)

Tanked up like a good thing on the bend and duly saluted under jockey Ethan Brown. Only fourth start in a race and won by 1.75 lengths with ears pricked first time at 2500m in class record time 2:37.47 – inside the mark set by First Immortal last year (2:38.96). The Michael Kent-trained stayer has nothing but potential and upside. Steel Run should be a factor in whatever distance races Kent has in mind for the exciting prospect.

THE ASTROLOGIST (4th, R7)

Good effort first-up with a big weight. The evergreen sprinter, rising eight-year-old, looks set for another handy preparation, with the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield and Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m) at Flemington among potential short-term targets. The Astrologist has won and placed second-up previously.

GALERON (5th, R8)

Snookered behind and between horses at a crucial stage, held up from the 400m to 300m and denied the momentum required to be in the finish. No match for MUNHAMEK but certainly entitled to be closer than 2.92 lengths. Snagged back to third last in the run from a wide draw and raced keenly through the middle stages and eased away from heels near the 1000m. Only fifth run for the campaign, open to further improvement with even luck.

LE ZEBRA (4th, R3)

Ridden for luck in the straight, four back the rail, and got very little. Held up from the 500m to 300m and then crowded for room between eventual winner JUSTADEEL and third-placed CRAIG. Emma-Lee and David Browne-trained Le Zebra peaked on the probing run inside the last 200m. Only third-up last Saturday and marked improvement from a grinding second-up performance at Flemington.

ROYAL HILL (5th, R1)

Tracked the speed, behind a line of three, and then forced to get around heels late to raise an effort. First run back since a debut sixth, beaten 7.7 lengths, in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial Stakes (1000m) last October. Best work late in the 1200m event so should be suited up in trip next start. Royal Hill ran the third fastest last 200m sectional in the Next Generations Sprinters Series Final, bettered only by the winner and runner-up. FACTCHECK (3rd) has a bright future.

Pharari in full flight at Ballarat Picture: Pat Scala/Racing Photos via Getty Images

FORGIVE

PHARARI (unplaced, R9)

Big rise in class, from maiden and Benchmark 64 to a Listed race, but justified given the margins, back-to-back wins by a combined 13.8 lengths, going into the Creswick Sprint. Settled midfield and poised to strike but stuck in second gear when the pace quickened. Jockey Ethan Brown said Pharari would benefit from the Flemington straight experience. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no significant findings.

I FOUND YOU (2nd, R1)

Stewards asked jockey Blake Shinn about the ride, and whether he had a chance to place I Found You under more pressure earlier than the last 200m mark, to which he explained the filly did not quicken as expected from the 300m. Shinn advised I Found You, at this stage in her career, would be better suited in shorten races and ridden with cover. Only second start, won 1150m maiden in Sydney by 3.6 lengths, and first look at the Flemington straight.

PISCES (4th, R4)

End of preparation? Every possible chance last Saturday, ridden with cover behind the speed, but could not quicken late first time at 1600m. The Godolphin three-year-old gelding has raced six times since late April for a win, two seconds, a third and two fourths.

PRESS DOWN (unplaced, R7)

Better than that. Around the mark in the run but among first under pressure from the 500m. Inspected by vets after the race but nothing untoward discovered. Trainer Peter Hardacre told stewards the gelding would undergo further testing. Press Down pommeled Santa Ana Lane Sprint Series Final winner IT’SOURTIME by four lengths the start prior and could do no better than 11th last Saturday, beaten 4.6 lengths.

Cindy Falls arrived in time to win the Leilani Series Final. Picture: Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images

CRUNCH TIME

CINDY FALLS (1st, R5)

Topped the Flemington time sheets with the fastest last 800m (44.81sec), 600m (33.36sec) and 400m (22.38sec) sectionals last Saturday. The five-year-old mare’s last 200m (11.59sec) was third quickest on the card.

RIGHT TO PARTY (1st, R9)

Big finish to win the Listed Creswick Sprint Series Final (1200m) with the quickest last 200m sectional (11.50sec) last Saturday. Her 22.65sec last 400m was the third fastest on the card. WALLENDA (4th) could be ready to win next start, fourth run for the campaign and posted the third best last 600m (33.74sec) for the day.

STEWARDS SAY

CRAIG (3rd, R3): Began awkwardly and made contact with Le Zebra at the start. Laid in under pressure in the straight.

SUBLIMINAL (unplaced, R5): Apprentice jockey Jaylah Kennedy reported her mount had been galloped on. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the mare to be lame in the off foreleg and sustained abrasions to the off hind hock.

RANTING (unplaced, R7): Held up for clear running from the 450m until the 300m. Was then steadied when disappointed for a run between SENEGALIA and CROSSHAVEN which shifted in, before then shifting out to secure clear running from the 150m.

WINDSTORM (unplaced, R8): Steadied away from the heels of KING MAGNUS, which shifted in near the 1200m. Jockey Thomas Stockdale, rider of King Magnus, was advised to exercise more care. Approaching the winning post Windstorm was unable to be ridden out when racing in restricted room between King Magnus and GALERON.

POUNDING (unplaced, R8): Jockey Luke Nolen could offer no explanation for the performance. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no significant findings.

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