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

Herald Sun racing writer Gilbert Gardiner’s Monday Racebook — horses to follow and forgive out of Super Saturday at Flemington.

Duke De Sessa finished an unlucky second in the Australian Cup Prelude on Saturday. Picture: George Sal/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Herald Sun racing writer Gilbert Gardiner’s Monday Racebook — horses to follow and forgive out of Super Saturday at Flemington.

FOLLOW

DUKE DE SESSA (2nd, R6)

Held up behind a wall of horses, sliced through late to grab second behind stablemate MIDDLE EARTH. The Caulfield Cup winner could not have been any more impressive, won first up and unlucky second up. The Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) in Sydney in three weeks is right in his wheelhouse, especially with any cut in the ground. BERKSHIRE BREEZE (4th) loomed ominously but peaked on the run second up.

POST IMPRESSIONIST (unplaced, R6)

Ridden quietly, back from a wide draw, and finished strongly late. Options abound in Melbourne (Australian Cup) and Sydney (Tancred Stakes) on March 29. Post Impressionist has won second-up previously.

LADY JONES (3rd, R4)

Wide with cover but in traffic. Held up from the 400m to 300m and let down nicely late. Only first-up so entitled to be a bit soft late. Lady Jones has won two of four second-up previously and placed on the other two occasions.

ALMA RISE (unplaced, R10)

First up and under the pump a long way from home but stuck to the task. Saved ground closer to the rail throughout and responded to riding late but had to be restrained as MIRAVAL ROSE (lame right foreleg) dropped back through the field.

MIEWA (unplaced, R5)

Loved his last 150m. Last or close to for much of the race and then forced to duck and weave through traffic at the top of the straight. Balanced up in clear air about 250m from home and stretched out nicely at only second start. Whatever he does now a bonus, looks a lovely spring three-year-old in the making.

Another Wil (blue and green cap) caught in the backwash. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

FORGIVE

ANOTHER WIL (4th, R7)

Poised to strike but disappointed for room at a crucial stage. Jockey Jamie Melham tried to cut a path between horses but ultimately clipped heels of the eventual runner-up MR BRIGHTSIDE and blundered. More in store for Another Wil, be it in an Australian Cup or Doncaster Mile.

ATISHU (unplaced, R7)

Missed the start by two lengths and on the back foot from there. Sustained a solid gallop in the straight, beaten for speed when the sprint went on at the 300m, and saved best work until late. Could be a sharp improver in the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) on March 29 at Flemington.

BENEDETTA (unplaced, R9)

Slow into stride and settled last. Hard ask with top weight and luckless over the concluding stages, ran up the back of unplaced OSTRAKA. No match for winner JOLIESTAR but Benedetta certainly entitled to finish closer.

HEAVENLY CONQUEST (unplaced, R5)

Four back the rail in traffic, spotting the leader and winner VINROCK the best part of five lengths, when caught in a jam. Clipped heels and blundered at the 150m and dropped right out of contention.

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