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Monday Racebook: Gilbert Gardiner’s horses to follow, forgive out of All-Star Mile Day at Caulfield

Pride of Jenni was undoubtedly the star on All-Star Mile Day but there some other runners on the program who had ‘back me next start’ written all over them.

Gilbert GardinerGilbert Gardiner
@gilbertgardiner
4 min read
March 18, 2024 - 7:00AM
Cascadian finished third in the All-Star Mile. Picture: George Sal / Racing Photos
Cascadian finished third in the All-Star Mile. Picture: George Sal / Racing Photos

Herald Sun racing writer Gilbert Gardiner’s Monday Racebook, identifying the horses to follow and forgive from All-Star Mile Day at Caulfield.

FIVE TO FOLLOW

CASCADIAN (R8, 3rd): Reigning Australian Cup winner looks primed to defend the crown at Flemington on March 30. Beaten for early speed in the All-Star Mile but got going from the 800m to charge into third. Should be spot on fourth-up in the Australian Cup after a similar performance to last year in the All-Star Mile. Only problem this year is that MR BRIGHTSIDE (R8, 2nd) is also headed in the same direction.

SEONEE (R7, 3rd): Disappointed for a run in the straight and forced to get off the heels of eventual runner-up LADY JONES. Got going again late as WALTZ ON BY powered clear to win. Seonee has won three of four starts second-up previously so best to stick with her.

BANK MAUR (R10, 4th): Lost his way last campaign but returned in good shape and should be ready to fire fourth-up. Strong to the line in the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1200m) behind BRUDENELL without seriously threatening. The start prior finished third, beaten a length, in a 1200m Listed event.

COMANCHE MISS (R6, 4th): Should benefit immensely from the debut performance behind BOLD BASTILLE. Beaten for early speed, ridden along to stay in touch with the field, then disappointed for a run behind the tiring SKY CAP (unplaced). Jockey Daniel Stackhouse shifted back towards the rail and Comanche Miss picked up again, albeit on the least effective ground as jockeys tended to avoid the fence last Saturday.

INEXORABLE (R2, 3rd): Unable to sprint with the winner FISTSOFFURY but stuck to the task well and finished a good three lengths in front of the rest of the field. Runner-up in a pair of country maidens this time in previously. Should be very competitive again in similar grade next start.

FORGIVE

MR BRIGHTSIDE (R8, 2nd): Massive to run second after spotting the leader the best part of 15 lengths early in the race. Lost no admirers at all and cannot wait for the champion to rock up at Flemington on Australian Cup Day.

SIR ATLAS (R9, 2nd): Lost all momentum hunting for runs at the 200m after striking traffic earlier in the straight. Picked up again to hold second but TITAN OF CHOICE (1st) too good down the middle of the track.

NUGGET (R5, 3rd): Not suited by the slow tempo through the first half of the race and had a hard time picking up the winner FIRST IMMORTAL, who enjoyed a cushy run behind the speed. Nugget was only second-up and usually gets better with racing.

PEACE TREATY (R7, unplaced): Raced outside the speed but knocked up in the straight and dropped out of contention. A post-race veterinary examination showed a degree of lameness in the right foreleg.

TRACK TALK

“Linda Meech (rider of Attractable) was coming in off the track and she goes, ‘God, she’s a freak’. She said, ‘we were going quick and she just went quicker’ … she is quite special because you don’t get horses that can do that.” — Trainer Ciaron Maher in awe of Pride Of Jenni’s performance.

“Tony, he has changed my life basically giving me this opportunity. To repay faith and pull off the rides and execute them, it’s so satisfying.” — Jockey Declan Bates is grateful to be riding Pride Of Jenni.

“He’s right on track for an Australian Cup. Probably where he got beat was the first two furlongs, they were a bit sedate, probably a bit more sedate than everyone anticipated and then they cranked from there.” — Jockey Ben Melham on All-Star Mile placegetter Cascadian.

CRUNCH TIME

PRIDE OF JENNI (R8, 1st) put All-Star Mile opposition to the sword travelling to the 800m 12.6 lengths faster than standard comparison time and she maintained the rage – 4.5 lengths quicker – between the 800m and 400m. She clocked the last 400m in 24.44 seconds – 4.5 lengths slower than standard. Third-placed CASCADIAN posted the fastest sectionals in the All-Star Mile, including an 11.94 second last 200m. Bring on the Group 1 Australian Cup in a fortnight for the reigning champion.

LEMPICKA (R4, 1st) completed a clean sweep of the time sheet with the fastest last 800m (43.85sec), 600m (33.35sec), 400m (22.15sec) and 200m (11.23sec) of the entire Caulfield card last Saturday.

STEWARDS SAY

Jockey Mark Zahra copped a seven-meeting suspension for a whip breach on MANKAYAN (R1, 2nd). He was also fined a total of $1200 for the breach and consecutive whip use prior to the last 100m. Zahra is set to return to the saddle on Saturday.

Jockey Ethan Brown was severely reprimanded for failing to ride out his mount JIGSAW (R4, 6th) to the end of the race. Brown told stewards Jigsaw pulled up heavy in the wind and would benefit from the run.

Jockey Beau Mertens was fined $400 for consecutive whip strikes on SIR ATLAS (R9, 2nd) before the last 100m.

PANFIELD (R1, unplaced): Difficult to load. Suspended and must jumpout to the satisfaction of stewards.

END JOURNEY (R4, unplaced): Fractious in the barrier. Suspended and must jumpout, also lame right hind leg.

PEACE TREATY (R7, unplaced): Lame right foreleg.

PINSTRIPED (R8, unplaced): Blundered badly on jumping and almost fell. Post-race vet inspection revealed a slow recovery.

Originally published as Monday Racebook: Gilbert Gardiner’s horses to follow, forgive out of All-Star Mile Day at Caulfield

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/horse-racing/vic-racing/monday-racebook-gilbert-gardiners-horses-to-follow-forgive-out-of-allstar-mile-day-at-caulfield/news-story/3ed695a427331a397c5fba076a975b29