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

Herald Sun and Racenet racing writer Gilbert Gardiner runs a rule over last Saturday’s meeting at Flemington.

Gilbert GardinerGilbert Gardiner
@gilbertgardiner
3 min read
July 22, 2024 - 7:00AM
Just Like Gaby (left) ran fourth on debut behind First Settler (green and white silks).
Just Like Gaby (left) ran fourth on debut behind First Settler (green and white silks).

Herald Sun and Racenet racing writer Gilbert Gardiner runs a rule over Saturday’s meeting at Flemington.

HORSES TO FOLLOW

JUST LIKE GABY (4th, R3)

Big shoes to fill, the daughter of multiple Group 1-winner Loving Gaby, but nice debut down the straight. A few boxes ticked last Saturday, race day, Flemington straight and wet track experience. First three past the post had wins or race experience under the belt, so a lot to like about Just Like Gaby, who should benefit greatly from the run. FIRST SETTLER could be a star and runner-up LANDMARK lost no admirers, while third-placed SKIPJACK stuck on boldly first up.

CAPTAIN ELECTRIC (unplaced, R2)

No match for the winner LE ZEBRA but certainly entitled to finish closer, most certainly. Straightened with something to go but disappointed for runs inside, outside and between horses. Saw daylight inside the last 150m and rebuilt momentum. Should be competitive in a similar race again, maybe a midweek at Sandown with cut in the ground to get the confidence up?

SPANISH TIDES (unplaced, R4)

Travelled four pairs back on the rail and was always going to need luck, but got none in the straight. Forced to work off heels, as early leader BINDING tired out of contention, then nowhere to go with SHE’S PRETTY RICH and FEARLESS WRITER whacking away. Apprentice jockey Tom Prebble eventually got into clear air on Spanish Tides and the Luke Oliver-trained mare finished off nicely the last 100m. Spanish Tides should be more than competitive third-up next month in similar company at Caulfield or The Valley, where she has had success previously.

DIVINE PURPOSE (unplaced, R6)

Jumped awkwardly, unbalanced jockey Carleen Hefel as the barriers opened, but forced to tack onto the back of the field, outside eventual winner MR EXCLUSIVE and a length behind BARAQIEL. Under pressure at the 600m, as the field quickened, but stuck to the task in restricted room. Won between 1200m-1500m in Queensland previously but best form in Melbourne to date, placed at 1600m, 2000m and 2400m. Up in trip, third-up on drier ground could be a recipe for success. SIR DAVY finished off well first start for new stable.

BIG ME (2nd, R9)

Hard to ask for much more, first-up after 18 months off the scene. The ex-Hong Kong galloper was exposed a long way from home, as tearaway leader FLYING SEASON (unplaced) weakened out of contention, but responded to the challenge to look a winning chance inside the last 200m. No match for MOONHAVEN late, ridden a treat by Jye McNeil to burst through the pack late. Second-up syndrome could be a factor for Big Me after such a long lay off, but expect trainer Nick Ryan to have fun with the lightly-raced five-year-old sprinter, a veteran of only three starts. Upside aplenty.

FORGIVE

BARAQIEL (third, R6)

Has done a super job to win four in a row, with head on chest basically, and reward patient owners but could do with a short break now to recharge the batteries. There to win last Saturday, but under pressure a long way from home on the rain-affected surface. Stuck to his guns for third and only beaten 1.35 lengths by two gallopers better suited to the conditions.

CINDY FALLS (4th, R4)

Rated nicely behind the speed, every chance, but not quite as dynamic late with 60kg on her back as the start prior, a slashing come-from-behind win, at Flemington with a 54kg impost. The imported New Zealand mare gave between three and five kilograms to the top three last Saturday, and only beaten 1.36 lengths.

CADMUS (unplaced, R8)

Held up at the top of the straight and could not find third let alone top gear to figure in the money. The first five past the post were pretty much unchanged the last 300m in a grinding finish. Cadmus raced consistently four starts prior, two wins, a third and a fourth.

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

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/horse-racing/monday-racebook-gilbert-gardiners-horses-to-follow-forgive-at-flemington/news-story/ce905822b884876e8d6f7a9ff6366fcb