Gilbert Gardiner with his horses to both follow and forgive after a big nine race card at Flemington on Saturday

There was plenty to take out of the nine race card at Flemington on Saturday with Gilbert Gardiner providing his horses to follow and forgive.

Gentleman Roy wins the Kentucky Bluegrass Handicap at Flemington Picture: Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Herald Sun racing writer Gilbert Gardiner with his horses to follow and forgive from Saturday’s Flemington card.

HORSES TO FOLLOW

HOLYMANZ (unplaced, R8)

Snookered behind a wall of horses and held up almost the entire straight until the last 100m when put into clear air. Entitled to quicken over the concluding stages, as he did no work, but liked the way the Group 2-placed gelding went through the gears under his own steam. Holymanz had won two of three first-up previously and placed twice second-up. He could flip the script with even luck next time?

POST IMPRESSIONIST (4th, R2)

Post Impressionist comes out of the same race as Wertheimer but the pair’s paths are likely to diverge in the coming weeks. Post Impressionist made his debut for the Anthony and Sam Freedman camp at Flemington and stuck on solidly under 60kg to finish just over three lengths from Horrifying despite giving him 4.5kg. He’ll only improve from there.

Horrifying goes back-to-back at Flemington with a super impressive win in the Inside Run Trophy.

The Archer and @MelbourneCup on the horizon? 🏆

📽 @7HorseRacingpic.twitter.com/GCUHtYgfpI

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) August 3, 2024

WERTHEIMER (unplaced, R2)

Wertheimer looks ready to win after three solid efforts to start his preparation. He hasn’t been far away in any of the three outings and did a good job again when chasing honestly behind Horrifying in a Quality handicap that was dominated by on-pacers on Saturday. Wertheimer did his best work late and is ready to win soon in easier company.

FORTUNATE KISS (3rd, R4)

First start for new stable and acquitted herself well despite not being a threat with runaway winner MAOTAI and SHOVE OVER in a different postcode. Should improve markedly from the run however and a second experience down the straight. Best form has been around a bend previously and the mare could be a factor in the spring.

Maotai down the middle of the Flemington Straight wins the Jockeys Celebration Day Sprint.

Could we have seen our 2025 Standish Handicap winner?

📽 @7HorseRacingpic.twitter.com/3a5kpvC3b4

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) August 3, 2024

TAJANIS (4th, R7)

Deserved to run a place after doing all the donkey work to cart up the main field to runaway VEGAS KNIGHT, which folded to run second last, and eventual runner-up RISE TO IT. Vegas Knight led Rise To It by the best part of 10 lengths at the 1000m with Tajanis a further five lengths adrift. Only second-up and in keeping with Chris Waller-trained gallopers should only improve with fitness under the belt. MY BROTHER’S KEEPER (3rd), disappointed for runs at the top of the straight, finished well again to place third.

FORGIVE

MIDTOWN BOSS (unplaced, R4)

Tracked the runner-up SHOVE OVER in the run but one paced to the line – contrary to past performances. A post-race examination identified a degree of exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) that may have affected the performance.

CINDY FALLS (unplaced, R3)

Forget she went around. Absolutely no luck at all. Held up for almost the entire straight and disappointed for multiple runs and then copped a whack across the face near the 200m. Jockey Blake Shinn told stewards the mare travelled well and he felt, if able to secure clear running, Cindy Falls would have been competitive and possibly won the race. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the mare sustained an injury to the left eye.

Justdoit just did it in the Donate To RDA Australia.

📽 @7HorseRacingpic.twitter.com/gnlsNsXLfI

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) August 3, 2024

LE ZEBRA (4th, R5)

Stepped slow and obliged to race three wide without cover until he settled outside the leader near the 800m. Could not burn the candle at both ends as the leader and winner RISE AT DAWN booted clear. Le Zebra stuck to the task late to fight back and hold fourth after being headed.

Originally published as Gilbert Gardiner with his horses to both follow and forgive after a big nine race card at Flemington on Saturday