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

Herald Sun racing writer Gilbert Gardiner runs a rule over Group 1 Turnbull Stakes Day at Flemington.

Gilbert GardinerGilbert Gardiner
@gilbertgardiner
3 min read
October 6, 2024 - 2:19PM
Melbourne Saturday Review - Turnbull Stakes

Herald Sun racing writer Gilbert Gardiner runs a rule over Group 1 Turnbull Stakes Day at Flemington.

FIVE TO FOLLOW

FRANCESCO GUARDI (unplaced, Race 8)

Remember him? Burst onto the scene in 2022 but not in Cup contention then went off the boil last year. Back again and fitness is coming along nicely, along with mileage in the legs, but the one-time Melbourne Cup fancy must qualify for the big race. The Chris Waller-trained stayer must win or place in a Group race at 2300m or further to pass the Cup ballot. Could he back-up in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) on Saturday, alternatively wait for the Geelong Cup and Moonee Valley Cup on October 23 and 25 respectively? Stablemate VALIANT KING, in the mix to gain a start in both the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup, is on track for the spring majors.

MISSION OF LOVE (unplaced, Race 7)

Could he pinch a Geelong or Bendigo country cup and sneak into the Melbourne Cup? It is potentially the only way for the Caloundra Cup winner to qualify for the first Tuesday in November. The Queensland raider was entitled to finish closer in The Bart Cummings on Saturday, travelled behind AMADE (3rd), a super run second-up, on the rail but hooked wide off three sets of heels to make a run down the middle of the track.

STRETAN ANGEL (3rd, Race 9)

Finished like a train second-up but hard-fit RIGHT TO PARTY and ARKANSAW KID were slightly better on the day. The Group 1-placed mare has limited sprinting options ahead, the Champions Sprint (1200m) on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival the obvious go, unless trainer Phillip Stokes wants to stretch her out in distance or wait for the Winterbottom on the other side of the country on November 30.

LOFTY ARCH (unplaced, Race 5)

There to be counted until the least experienced and exposed colt in the race felt the pinch and shifted out a fraction under pressure. Jockey Ethan Brown took hold of the Alex Rae-trained Snitzel colt to stay off the heels of classy winner FIRST SETTLER. Only upside for Lofty Arch, who went into the Group 2 Danehill Stakes with only a Cranbourne maiden win under the belt.

MOOR MUMM (unplaced, Race 1)

Smothered up behind a wall for much of the straight and got clear inside the last 150m. Only third up last Saturday so improvement to come and win would not surprise next start. Finished alongside SO GLAMOROUS, set to benefit from a solid second-up run. Ex-South Australian MANHATTEN TIMES finished off well too. No world beaters but should all be winning similar grade races in the not too distant future.

Michael Dee and trainer Mick Price after the Turnbull Stakes. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images
Michael Dee and trainer Mick Price after the Turnbull Stakes. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

FORGIVE

WARMONGER (unplaced, Race 8)

File under watch, more so than forgive necessarily. Big run in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) but only plain second-up in the Turnbull Stakes. Jockey Michael Dee attributed the disappointment to Warmonger now having two starts on rain-affected ground to start the campaign. The one-time Caulfield Cup favourite might be looking for 2400m already.

EDWARD MANIFOLD STAKES (1st to 10th, Race 4)

No knock on the winner at all, TOO DARN DISCREET, a class filly on the up, but the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes was run in horrendous conditions with driving rain and poor visibility. If anything, the situation only added to the winner’s credibility, along with favourite and runner-up DECLICHY BOULEVARD. Others battled on gamely, forget unplaced WINGS OF DESIRE, COMANCHE MISS and JENNI’S MEADOW even went around, all should hopefully bounce back next start with normal conditions.

MOBY DICK (4th, Race 1)

Hampered at the start by the winner WARNIE and then over-raced in the middle stages. Faced the breeze basically the entire straight and only beaten a head on the post. Last start savaged the line when covered up behind horses and finished strongest late. Won three of six starts to date so stick with him.

ROYAL CHAMPION (unplaced, Race 6)

First run for 12 months with a big weight and unsuitable conditions, five starts on wet ground for two minor placings. The UK import with serious international form lines has four wins from eight starts on dry surfaces. Put a line through the run but will benefit fitness wise from it, the only positive.

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

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/horse-racing/monday-racebook-gilbert-gardiners-horses-to-follow-forgive/news-story/fdee3823704b2cd0a84c8a9474821726