Monday Racebook: Meet the new Caulfield Cup favourite as Gilbert Gardiner nominates his horses to follow, forgive from Flemington

Gilbert Gardiner presents his horses to follow and forgive from Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes Day at Flemington, where a big Spring player boosted his Cup credentials.

Gilbert Gardiner presents his horses to follow and forgive from Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes Day at Flemington, where a big Spring player boosted their credentials.

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FIVE TO FOLLOW

WARMONGER (4th, Race 8)

Tis the season for a Caulfield or Melbourne Cup trial and with his eye-catching fourth in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes, Warmonger was duly promoted to favourite for the spring major on October 19. The Queensland Derby winner travelled sweetly at the back of the field and clicked up through his gears comfortably in the straight to finish on the heels of ANTINO (3rd). Look for another bold run in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 5.

Mr Brightside the first horse to go back-to-back in the Crown Makybe Diva Stakes since 1956/57!

🎥 @Racingpic.twitter.com/llKgBcPwda

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) September 14, 2024

ALSEPHINA (3rd, Race 7)

The Group 1-placed West Australian mare defied trying circumstances, posted three wide without cover, first-up on a Heavy track, to run third in the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes. The six-year-old mare, runner-up in the Group 1 Railway Stakes in Perth last summer, should be better again second up and on top of the ground. LADY JONES (5th) looks set for another consistent preparation.

Another for @LaneDamian taking out the @FurphyBeer Let’s Elope Stakes with Gingzinger Belle for @DOBrienRacing ✨@7horseracingpic.twitter.com/Cwyj4j9sVc

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) September 14, 2024

GRIFF (5th of 10, Race 9)

The Caulfield Guineas winner struggled in the Sydney autumn but returned to Melbourne in good shape. Faced the wind on the stand side in the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) and stuck to the task well late as the sprinters took control of the race. Could he line up in a Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) second-up at The Valley? Griff won the Group 2 Stutt Stakes on the corresponding card last year. SKYBIRD (2nd) and BUENOS NOCHES (3rd) were equally impressive in the Bobbie Lewis behind Gilgai Stakes-bound ARKANSAW KID.

Arkansaw Kid holds them off to win the @HKJC_Racing@WorldPool Bobby Lewis Quality 🏇@craig_newitt@lindsayparkrace

🎥 @7horseracingpic.twitter.com/IoZpcz0GvJ

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) September 14, 2024

PROMISES KEPT (13th of 15, Race 6)

The Melbourne Cup-nominated SA Derby runner-up was always going to find the 1400m too sharp. There for fitness with targets on the horizon, Geelong or Bendigo country cups look right in the wheelhouse. The emerging stayer was entitled to finish closer restrained inside the last 200m off the heels of the weakening BANK MAUR (14th), who travelled outside the leader in the run and dropped back through the field quickly.

.@cwallerracing 🤝 @craig_newitt

Chrysaor storms home at $23! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/YIhmpC5Rw5

— Racing.com (@Racing) September 14, 2024

COMANCHE MISS (2nd, Race 2)

Good effort to come from last and get the bob on the line for second place. Three runs under the belt and improved with every start, should be suited at 1600m next start. Lots of options for three-year-old fillies in the spring and has a stakes’ win not beyond the daughter of Castelvecchio.

Dawn Service and @blake_shinn take out the Exford Plate for @GaiWaterhouse1 🐎 @7horseracingpic.twitter.com/O8RfVT43ew

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) September 14, 2024

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FORGIVE

VIA SISTINA (5th of 8, Race 8)

Sack at your peril. The dual hemisphere Group 1 star raced flat in the Heavy conditions last Saturday, her first go on a wet surface in four Australian starts. Her past three starts – all on Good rated tracks – resulted in two Group 1 wins and a second in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes last autumn. Look for a vast improvement third-up on a dry surface, hopefully.

James McDonald aboard Via Sistina before the Makybe Diva Stakes. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

PINSTRIPED (7th of 8, Race 8)

Eased down from the 200m. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be lame in the left hind leg. A veterinary clearance will be required prior to racing again.

CIRCLE OF FIRE (8th of 8, Race 8)

Slow to begin. Eased down from the 200m. Jockey Mark Zahra reported the stayer raced keenly in the early and middle stages and when under pressure in the straight, he failed to respond and gave ground as if there was something amiss. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no significant findings.

WONDER BOY (5th of 7, Race 2)

Dwelt at the start and hampered by VIASAIN, which shifted in. Jockey Craig Williams told stewards the gelding never travelled well during the race and when asked for an effort in the straight failed to respond to his riding. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no significant findings.

Originally published as Monday Racebook: Meet the new Caulfield Cup favourite as Gilbert Gardiner nominates his horses to follow, forgive from Flemington