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Gilbert Gardiner’s horses to follow or forgive from Thousand Guineas Day at Caulfield

Herald Sun racing writer Gilbert Gardiner runs a rule over Thousand Guineas race day at Caulfield.

Gilbert GardinerGilbert Gardiner
@gilbertgardiner
3 min read
November 17, 2024 - 9:32AM
Benagil is a filly to follow looking to the remainder of the three-year-old season. Photo: Scott Barbour/Getty Images.
Benagil is a filly to follow looking to the remainder of the three-year-old season. Photo: Scott Barbour/Getty Images.

Herald Sun racing writer Gilbert Gardiner runs a rule over Thousand Guineas race day at Caulfield.

FIVE TO FOLLOW

TUVALU (unplaced Race 9)

First-up since winning the Listed Wangoom Handicap in May and battled on stoutly against race fit opposition. Wide without cover, punching into the wind, approaching home turn but let down nicely to run fifth. Should be hard to beat second-up in something like the Group 3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield in a fortnight.

BENAGIL (unplaced, Race 7)

Smart filly and certainly one to watch in the autumn, should she head to the paddock now but tackling the boys in the Group 2 Sandown Guineas (1600m) in two weeks could be an enticing proposition. Fillies have won the Sandown Guineas in three of the past five years. Benagil was luckless in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas last Saturday, could not burst into the clear early enough in the straight to challenge the winner.

GRINZINGER POD (fourth, Race 6)

Tracked the eventual winner, JASMIN ROUGE, into the straight but could not quicken as sharply to go on with the job. The three-year-old filly, only second-up last Saturday, was good through the line and could be a factor in the Listed Twilight Glow Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on November 30. ON DISPLAY (3rd) a definite eye-catcher on a similar pathway potentially, the Fastnet Rock filly finished powerfully first-up from last in the run.

CIGAR FLICK (unplaced, Race 10)

Ready to win third-up with even luck and kind barrier. Charged late at Flemington first-up at big odds and then cruelled by a wide barrier at Caulfield last Saturday. Closed off nicely but too much ground to make up and finished fifth, beaten less than two lengths. Cigar Flick recorded the fastest last 400m and 200m sectionals for the entire meeting. MISS ROUMBINI (3rd) impressed first-up, should be in for a good preparation.

MIRAVAL ROSE (third, Race 5)

Solid return despite not fully suited at 1100m. Miraval Rose tracked the speed and would only be outsprinted late by KIN and PHARARI. Stuck to the task soundly to hold third and only beaten a length. Yet to win second-up but the Listed Doveton Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield in two weeks could be right up her alley. Miraval Rose won the Twilight Glow Stakes (1400m) third-up on the corresponding card last spring.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

FORGIVE

JIMMYSSTAR (unplaced, Race 9)

Barrier one always going to be a trick and ended up being so, with Jimmysstar held up in the straight and went to the post completely untested. Forget he went around. CHARM STONE (unplaced) in a similar boat, never got clear air.

AELIANA (second, Race 7)

Not the first and certainly not last Sydney horse to struggle around the home bend at Caulfield. The 50m required to balance up in the straight proved costly. A good thing licked and better for the experience. She’s a serious prospect.

SHE’S GOT PIZZAZZ (unplaced, Race 5)

Lost momentum held up in the straight between the 350m and the 200m mark. Picked up late to run fifth and only beaten 2-1/4 lengths. The Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained filly stepped slow from the barriers and took an awkward stride near the 600m. Only second-up so should naturally improve from the run.

PHARARI (second, Race 5)

Raced midfield with cover to avoid a strongly northerly headwind but paid the price as could not get off heels on straightening to wind up properly. Eventual winner KIN, ridden by Jamie Kah, kept Pharari in a pocket and forced jockey Damian Lane to duck back towards the rail. Kin was just that little bit stronger late, with momentum, and held a margin on Pharari.

TIFFANY VALENTINE (unplaced, Race 2)

Race shape against the mare, with any potential speed horses scratched from the contest. Tried to work into the picture but cluttered up behind and between horses. Only second-up and beaten 1-1/4 lengths in a blanket finish.

Originally published as Gilbert Gardiner’s horses to follow or forgive from Thousand Guineas Day at Caulfield

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/horse-racing/gilbert-gardiners-horses-to-follow-or-forgive-from-thousand-guineas-day-at-caulfield/news-story/9939951ff2951ffe0aa6f8c594ae121a