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

Herald Sun racing writer Gilbert Gardiner’s horses to follow and forgive from Flemington’s Country Race Day.

Gilbert GardinerGilbert Gardiner
@gilbertgardiner
2 min read
June 9, 2025 - 11:36AM
Shockletz arrived in time to win at Flemington. Picture: Reg Ryan/Racing Photos via Getty Images
Shockletz arrived in time to win at Flemington. Picture: Reg Ryan/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Herald Sun racing writer Gilbert Gardiner’s horses to follow and forgive from Flemington’s Country Race Day.

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FIVE TO FOLLOW

SAMUEL LANGHORNE (4th, Race 1)

Turned for home with a bit to offer but trapped behind a wall of horses. Eventually worked off heels and wound up strongly despite being disappointed for momentum earlier in the straight. Second-up at Flemington so there should be plenty left in the tank.

SONOFKIRK (3rd, Race 2)

Great debut behind two very smart fillies in MISS OLE and ESPANA. Tracked the eventual winner in the run but unable to quicken as sharply when the sprint went on. The Ole Kirk colt picked up again to start taking ground off the fillies late. Should benefit greatly from the experience.

IT’S A YES (unplaced, Race 4)

Tracked the speed and emerged as a potential contender inside the last 300m. Stuck to the task but peaked on the run and collared inside the last 75m. Only first-up, so plenty of improvement to come. Well up in grade also, won a Benchmark 64 last campaign, and handled the occasion. SOFT LOVE (2nd) massive from the back. Recorded the fastest closing sectionals on the card with the quickest last 800m, 600m, 400m and 200m.

SHOCKLETZ (1st, Race 8)

Faced a task around the bend, best part of four lengths to make on runner-up PROCHESTER, and went to work to run down the plucky outsider with a big space to third. The three-year-old sister of stakes’ placed Horrifying has now won three of her first six starts. Bright future.

VERONA RUPES (unplaced, Race 8)

Cluttered up in traffic, three back the fence, at the top of the straight and lost momentum trying to shoulder into clear galloping room. Solid to the line third-up once clear and should improve from the run in similar, or slightly easier, company next start.

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FORGIVE

CINDY FALLS (unplaced, Race 3)

Back in the ruck and placed only once now four second-up appearances. The Lee and Shannon Hope-trained mare won the Leilani Final (1400m) third-up last year, so could easily bounce back hard. DREAM ALL DAY (unplaced) should be better second-up over a bit more ground. Stepped slowly and over-raced in the early and middle stages, not suited by the steady tempo.

ONE HARD LADY (unplaced, Race 4)

Jockey Blaike McDougall told stewards the filly may have come to the end of her preparation. One Hard Lady was slow to recover post-race. Trainer Donna Scott said the filly would now be spelled.

MAKRAM (unplaced, Race 7)

Pulled up in the straight. A post-race veterinary examination found Makram experienced a cardiac arrhythmia for the second time in his career.

NAMESAKE (unplaced, Race 9)

Solid effort on the seven-day back-up and maybe not on the right part of the track late in the day after a burst of rain.

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STEWARDS SAY

Apprentice jockey LOGAN BATES received a 10-meeting suspension for careless riding in Race 8.

Bates pleaded guilty to allowing mount WINSTON to shift in at the 350m when not sufficiently clear of QUEENSBURY, which had to be steadied as a result and became crowded for room.

Bates will start the suspension on Sunday.

Jockeys MATTHEW CARTWRIGHT (Race 2), DECLAN BATES (Race 3) and JETT STANLEY (Race8) were reprimanded for separate careless riding indiscretions.

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

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/horse-racing/monday-racebook-gilbert-gardiners-horses-to-follow-and-forgive/news-story/00d0e1c2d10c8714cf75f69a5ddaaa1b