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Gilbert Gardiner’s Monday Racebook: Pick your Poison

Gilbert Gardiner reflects on Saturday’s Flemington meeting, where there were some key runners who look poised to win in the very near future.

Gilbert GardinerGilbert Gardiner
@gilbertgardiner
2 min read
May 20, 2024 - 7:00AM
Poison Chalice (circled) was an eye-catcher in the Listed Straight Six at Flemington on Saturday.
Poison Chalice (circled) was an eye-catcher in the Listed Straight Six at Flemington on Saturday.

Gilbert Gardiner reflects on Saturday’s Flemington meeting, where there were some key runners who look poised to win in the very near future.

FIVE TO FOLLOW

POISON CHALICE (unplaced, race 7)
All eyes were on star stablemate STEPARTY (sixth) going into the race, but Poison Chalice drew attention late with slick closing sectionals. The four-year-old gelding spent much of the Listed Straight Six (1200m) out the back before 23.07sec and 11.98sec last 400m and 200m sectionals – fourth and sixth fastest times on the entire card. Could he front up in a Swan Hill Cup (1600m) next month?

VIRTUOUS CIRCLE (unplaced, race 9)
Best work late second-up over 1600m to run sixth, beaten three lengths. First-up the Liam Howley-trained stayer finished second last, about six lengths off DASHING at Caulfield. Last Saturday a long neck separated the pair in fifth and six respectively. Virtuous Circle hasn’t won for a long time – August 2022 – but has lived exclusively in Group races. More ground third-up in another Benchmark 100 could be an ideal drought-breaker.

UNCONQUERABLE (unplaced, race 10)
Faced the breeze on speed first-up down the straight and only collared over the concluding stages. Beaten less than a length, fifth, behind race fit and far more experienced opposition. The three-year-old filly won nicely on debut at Caulfield last December and certainly lost no admirers last Saturday at Flemington. Should be better for the run and aptitude down the straight only a bonus.

SIOUX SPIRIT (2nd, race 5)
Did a bit wrong, only second career start, but talented enough to beat all bar one – a very smart one potentially in LOSESOMEWINMORE – in the 1100m Benchmark 70. Stepped sideways out of the barriers but mustered quickly enough to settle just off the speed. Took over at the 200m before the South Australian raider Losesomewinmore sailed past.

MIRZANN (2nd, race 2)
Raced in restricted room early in the straight, between horses, and denied momentum at a crucial stage. Despite the setbacks, the Chris Waller-trained galloper raised an effort under jockey Damian Lane to surge into second. FOUJITA SAN (5th) loomed around the bend but peaked on the run second-up.

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FORGIVE

STEPARTY (unplaced, race 7)
Second favourite but never seriously threatened despite being within striking distance for much of the race. Overall, a good effort first-up by the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas-placed colt to run sixth, beaten less than two lengths. Should improve markedly from the run, first appearance since he finished third in the Group 3 Manfred Stakes on Australia Day.

MODOWN (unplaced, race 4)
Settled worse than midfield between horses and luckless thereafter. Some interference before the bend and no outs forthcoming on straightening. Beaten less than two lengths despite never coming out of third gear. Forget he went around.

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CRUNCH TIME

BELSIELLE (4th, race 3) posted the fastest last 200m sectional on the card with an 11.87sec finish.

Runner-up MOOR MUMM (R4) made in roads on impressive winner NIANCE with the quickest last 400m (22.97sec) last Saturday at Flemington.

NICOLINI VITO (2nd, race 7) recorded the fastest last 600m in the Listed Straight Six.

Originally published as Gilbert Gardiner’s Monday Racebook: Pick your Poison

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/property/gilbert-gardiners-monday-racebook-pick-your-poison/news-story/d9ca87666a40dfe7bc051c135467c2ba