Gilbert Gardiner’s Monday Racebook: Deakin delights as 2025 cups contender
Racing writer Gilbert Gardiner runs a rule over Pakenham Cup and The Supernova race day … and it’s fair to say he was most impressed with an import who notched his first victory on Australian soil.
Opinion
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Racing writer Gilbert Gardiner runs a rule over Pakenham Cup and The Supernova race day, where he thinks we saw a contender emerge for the big Cups in 2025.
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FIVE TO FOLLOW
DEAKIN (1st of 11, Race 5)
Toyed with inferior opposition and duly saluted by three lengths. Ready-made imported stayer for trainer Phillip Stokes to mould into a future Cups contender. The Adelaide Cup in March is the first target before attention turns to the Melbourne Spring Carnival. BORN WITH WINGS (4th) produced an improved performance first-up for a new stable.
Deakin accelerates in the final furlong for a convincing first win on Australian soil ð¤@pstokesracing & @DanielStack33 combine for their second win of the card ð¥ pic.twitter.com/8iOgIIu3ZS
— Racing.com (@Racing) December 21, 2024
SIR ATLAS (7th of 11, Race 10)
Three back the rail around the home bend and nowhere to go. Did well to land in that position after being drawn wide but needed the breaks at the right time in the straight to figure in the finish. Nice draw and 1600m third-up would be ideal.
It's a sensational win from The Open who makes it back-to-back wins in the final race at Pakenham ð¥@mj_paynepic.twitter.com/IrdiTzF7cL
— Racing.com (@Racing) December 21, 2024
JUST FOLK (4th of 13, Race 8)
Big effort first-up on unsuitable ground. Not one to fly fresh either, so the Gavin Bedggood-trained mudlark should be in for another profitable campaign with the right conditions.
Here To Shock hangs on in a thriller to win the inaugural The Supernova! â¨@LindsayParkRace dominate with the quinella ð¥@danielstack33pic.twitter.com/vcKdnJRapg
— Racing.com (@Racing) December 21, 2024
MATRON BULLWINKEL (3rd of 11, Race 7)
Travelled sweetly behind a hot early tempo and stuck to her guns late to hold third. ELPHINSTONE (1st), a smart mare on the rise, appreciated solidly run race and won from SMOKIN’ PRINCESS (2nd). All three should be winning more races in time.
It's a brilliantly timed run from Luke Currie to ride Elphinstone to her third win of the year ð¥@mcevoymitchellpic.twitter.com/TJQLXM6eGF
— Racing.com (@Racing) December 21, 2024
BEOUR BAY (7th of 9, Race 3)
No luck first-up behind a wall of horses and racing in restricted room. Denied any momentum and flat-footed when a gap opened inside the last 100m. Beour Bay crept up in the ratings in 2023 with a number of consistent performances but mixed form last campaign. Back in winnable grades now. CHEVAL CHIC (2nd) should be winning third-up. Super run from back in the field.
Samangu hangs on at the finish & makes it three straight wins ð¥@Grahame_Begg@jchilds47pic.twitter.com/lNzXsUM84G
— Racing.com (@Racing) December 21, 2024
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FORGIVE
NADAL (7th of 13, Race 8)
Too far back but ridden conservatively by design from a wide draw to get the distance. Ultimately, the wrong race for the emerging sprinter set to be kept at 1100m-1200m assignments going forward.
ROMANI ITE DOMUM (9th of 10, Race 2)
End of campaign run. Crossed to lead from wide draw and dictated terms but nothing left in the tank when asked to quicken in the straight. Won two of four previous starts and runner-up twice.
FREAK OF NATURE (4th of 11, Race 10)
Led and collared only late. Not the place to be on the rail late on the card and barely beaten half a length. Racing well with very little luck at the moment.
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STEWARDS’ CORNER
Jockey SAFFRON OSBORNE copped an eight-meeting suspension for careless riding in Race 1. Osborne will be eligible to ride again from December 31.
GLOBAL HARMONY (Race 10) refused to leave the barriers for the third straight time, including twice in Hong Kong early in the year. Stewards to conduct due diligence and background checks with Hong Kong counterparts before considering the gelding’s future.
Originally published as Gilbert Gardiner’s Monday Racebook: Deakin delights as 2025 cups contender