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

Rising star Estriella ‘could be anything’ while we have a ride of the year contender from Ben Melham. Here is Gilbert Gardiner’s wrap from Australian Cup Day at Flemington.

Estriella cruised to victory in the Sunlight Classic. Picture: Ross Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Herald Sun racing writer Gilbert Gardiner runs a rule over Australian Cup Day at Flemington.

FIVE TO FOLLOW

SUNLIGHT CLASSIC (R7, first four)
Rising star Estriella could be anything now and next campaign. Wherever she goes next – either the $1m Group 2 Arrowfield Sprint (1200m) in Sydney on April 13 or the $1m Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes in Adelaide on April 27 – she wins. Arkansaw Kid, Saltaire and Stretan Angel should all be winning races soon too on the back of meritorious first-up performances. Estriella had the benefit of two solid wins under the belt compared to the lead chasers.

Wowza! 💥

Estriella is far too good for them in the Sunlight Classic. 🤩@cmaherracing@blake_shinnpic.twitter.com/qgyZ1MFbjY

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) March 30, 2024

GOLDEN PATH (R10, unplaced)
Sliced through the pack to make late ground – albeit in vain – first-up in the 1400m Benchmark 84. Golden Path was snagged back from a wide draw to settle in the second half of the field and then had little room in the straight to truly mount a challenge. Best ahead of the lightly raced four-year-old gelding.

MAJOR BEEL (R9, 4th)
Led at a good clip and kept fighting in trademark Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott style only to be swamped late by the backmarkers. A solid effort second-up and on track for the Sydney Cup in two weeks’ time. Major Beel won the Australian Derby last year in Sydney on a Heavy 9 surface. OK first-up in the Pakenham Cup, led and tired out of contention. Winner Ashrun franked the form line in Sydney last Saturday, running third in the Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m).

EL SOLEADO (R3, 3rd)
Tightened for room at the start and settled further back than anticipated. Travelled nicely under the circumstances, three back the rail, but held up from the 400m to 300m and could not muster quickly enough to shoulder into the clear and let down. Picked up late to run third. Jockey Craig Williams told stewards the gelding does not appreciate galloping inside horses.

WHAT YOU NEED (R5, 3rd)

A bit of an unknown going into the race after 12 months off the scene and drifted accordingly ($3 to $5.50 with TAB), but acquitted himself very well. Popped off the back of KATSU (unplaced) and set out after the tough and hard-fit NAJEM SUHAIL (2nd) until SANS DOUTE gave them all windburn. A terrific return by a horse with boundless potential.

"She is a mare at the peak of her powers."

Sans Doute gave us one of the wins of the day 🤯#TheWrappic.twitter.com/WOZtqbGfn6

— Racing.com (@Racing) March 30, 2024

FORGIVE

RICH FORTUNE (R1, unplaced)
Under pressure at the 500m and dropped out of contention quickly, effectively pulled up and one-paced to the post. A post-race veterinary inspection revealed an internal bleed – exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage.

KATSU (R5, unplaced)
Settled two lengths off the leader in the run but never looked comfortable. Under pressure from the 300m. Won the Listed Kensington Stakes down the straight previously but four other wins all around a bend. Katsu has won two of three starts second-up so don’t overlook next time.

MR BRIGHTSIDE (R8, unplaced)
Pushed forward from barrier one as expected to settle behind the hot speed but under pressure before the bend and one paced on straightening. A bit plain face value, by his high standard, but a post-race veterinary inspection discovered the six-time Group 1 winner had a sore right foreleg.

Back-to-Back for Cascadian in an epic TAB Australian Cup victory!

1. Cascadian
2. Pride of Jenni
3. Atishu

🎥 @7HorseRacing#AustralianCuppic.twitter.com/butFEl0Yn5

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) March 30, 2024

TRACK TALK

“Ride of the year, I reckon.” — Jockey BEN MELHAM nailed the Group 1 Australian Cup ride on back-to-back winner CASCADIAN.

“He’s still an amazing horse. He tried his heart out … Most importantly he pulls up safe. He’s in great hands with the Hayes boys and hopefully he will continue on with his preparation.” — Jockey CRAIG WILLIAMS on MR BRIGHTSIDE after the Australian Cup.

“She’s got a great turn-of-foot off a sprint but I said that if you need to take the bull by the horns, do that as well.” — Trainer CIARON MAHER gave jockey BLAKE SHINN free rein aboard Sunlight Classic winner ESTRIELLA.

“She’ll go through grades nicely and it is hard to know where her ceiling is but Danny (O’Brien) has got her progressing nicely.” — Jockey BLAKE SHINN on DANNY O’BRIEN-trained mare SEA WHAT I SEE.

Sea What I See and Blake Shinn dominate the Rubaroc Grand Handicap Classic. Four wins in a row, with a bright future ⭐

🎥 @7HorseRacing#AustralianCuppic.twitter.com/LiaRZU9Uhg

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) March 30, 2024

CRUNCH TIME

SANS DOUTE blazed a trail to victory in the Listed ATA/Bob Hoysted Handicap (1000m) with a clean sweep of sectionals.

The Te Akau Racing mare recorded the fastest last 800m (42.56sec), 600m (32.04sec), 400m (21.41sec) and 200m (11.07sec) last Saturday at Flemington.

ESTRIELLA posted the fastest average speed (63.54kph) of the meeting in the Listed Sunlight Classic (1100m), while third-placed SALTAIRE ran the third fastest last 400m (22.30sec).

Melbourne Cup-qualified MARK TWAIN remarkably posted the second fastest last 200m (11.48sec) sectional last Saturday in the Roy Higgins (2600m).

STEWARDS SAY

Apprentice CELINE GAUDRAY received an eight-meeting suspension for careless riding aboard PORT GUILLAUME in the Roy Higgins (2600m).

Gaudray pleaded guilty to allowing her mount to move into a position when not sufficiently clear to do so, the action resulted in MOSTLY CLOUDY and DUNKEL being tightened and restrained.

Gaudray will be ineligible to race ride from April 7-12.

Jockey JAMIE MOTT escaped with a severe reprimand for consecutive whip use aboard HANCHI in the Sunlight Classic.

AMEENA (R4, 2nd): Jockey Mark Zahra stated the filly may be ready for a spell.

KATSU (R5, unplaced): Jockey Jordan Childs was satisfied with the performance. A post-race vet inspection failed to reveal any abnormalities.

I AM UNSTOPPABLE (R7, unplaced): Zahra could offer no explanation for the performance.

YOUNG WERTHER (R8, unplaced): Steadied near the 300m when tightened for room between LEGARTO and ESTI FENY.

RHEINBERG (R10, unplaced): Gaudray reported the gelding did not feel comfortable in its action and may appreciate tracks with more give. A post-race inspection revealed a slow recovery.

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