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Racebook: Gilbert Gardiner’s follow and forgive files from Caulfield

Herald Sun racing writer Gilbert Gardiner runs a rule over Bel Esprit Stakes Day at Caulfield.

Gilbert GardinerGilbert Gardiner
@gilbertgardiner
2 min read
June 1, 2025 - 4:52PM
Gilbert Gardiner believes Illative is a horse to follow in the weeks ahead. Photo: Brett Holburt/Getty Images.
Gilbert Gardiner believes Illative is a horse to follow in the weeks ahead. Photo: Brett Holburt/Getty Images.

Herald Sun racing writer Gilbert Gardiner runs a rule over Bel Esprit Stakes Day at Caulfield.

FIVE TO FOLLOW

ETON AFFAIR (3rd, Race 1)

No match for top two but best work late. Travelled nicely behind the speed before a flat spot around the bend and lost ground. Once clear again inside the last 75m worked through his gears again. Bring on 1400m next start. SALTY PEARL (1st) and MILLENNIUM BLADE (2nd) impressed, especially runner-up forced to do the donkey work early outside the leader and bloused only late with a big gap to third.

ILLATIVE (unplaced, Race 2)

Did a bit wrong, slow into stride and raced keenly, and then jockey Beau Mertens told stewards the mare made an abnormal respiratory noise post-race. Despite all this, Illative recorded the second best 800m, 600m, 400m and 200m sectionals bettered only by the impressive winner SPLASH BACK.

STYLISH (unplaced, Race 4)

Held up from the 500m and never tested as a result. Won nicely at Bendigo first-up and expected to go on with the job but cluttered up behind traffic, as the tempo slackened at about the 900m, and ended up further back than anticipated.

WATCHME WIN (4th, Race 8)

Flew home behind fellow South Australian sprinter AVIATRESS to run third and fourth respectively. The Andrew Gluyas-trained Watchme Win recorded the fastest closing sectionals on the card including a 22.06 sec last 400m and 11.25 sec final 200m burst in the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes.

CAFE MILLENIUM (5th, Race 9)

First start for Lindsay Park and suspect the second could be even more fruitful. Next to last in the run and charged home to run fifth, first time the Melbourne way. Plenty of upside and potential.

FORGIVE

WONDER KID (unplaced, Race 7)

Looking for further? Wide early and rolled forward to settle outside the leader. Travelled nicely and took over around the bend but one-paced.

RECOMMENDATION (unplaced, Race 8)

Travelled nicely first-up but then held up from the 400m to 250m and then one-paced to the post. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be lame in the left foreleg.

HARD TO CROSS (unplaced, Race 9)

First start since June 2024 and raced keenly through the early and middle stages. Held up on the heels of PRANCING SPIRIT (unplaced) late and could not be ridden out fully to the finish. Should benefit immensely from the hitout. Might need another one to blow out the cobwebs but 1600m on a rain-affected track a sweet spot going forward.

Originally published as Racebook: Gilbert Gardiner’s follow and forgive files from Caulfield

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/horse-racing/racebook-gilbert-gardiners-follow-and-forgive-files-from-caulfield/news-story/a9fbcbac0815eda985c4cf59e83a182e