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Gilbert Gardiner’s Monday Racebook: Horses to follow and forgive at The Valley

Gilbert Gardiner presents his horses to follow and forgive from The Valley, where he was taken with the run of a horse who trailed in the impressive Field Of Play.

Gilbert GardinerGilbert Gardiner
@gilbertgardiner
2 min read
December 30, 2024 - 6:30AM
Field Of Play won convincingly from Tom at The Valley. Picture: Scott Barbour / Racing Photos
Field Of Play won convincingly from Tom at The Valley. Picture: Scott Barbour / Racing Photos

Racenet and The Herald-Sun’s Gilbert Gardiner runs a rule over last Saturday’s meeting at The Valley.

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FIVE TO FOLLOW

TOM (2nd of 8, Race 2)

No match for the winner FIELD OF PLAY – none of them were – but Tom stuck to the task well on debut despite interference around the home bend as wayward JENNI GONE BONKERS (3rd) laid out and pushed GREEN SPACES (5th) into Tom. Jenni Gone Bonkers also picked up again late to run into third.

RUBIQUITY (4th of 5, Race 4) andSTORMBOURG (5th of 5, Race 4)

Could slot in under Follow or Forgive as neither got a proper crack at the VOBIS Gold Carat, while a case could easily be made for both to win the race with clear running and even luck. Rubiquity tracked the leader, got trapped on the rail, went to the line completely untested and was only beaten 0.65 length. Stormbourg raced ungenerously throughout, wanted to lay in, and eventually clipped heels with runner-up PRINCESS QUE and almost fell. Jockey Patrick Moloney did a great job to stay in the saddle over the concluding stages.

BOLDINHO (5th of 13, Race 10)

Matched motors with winner and stuck on boldly late until being overhauled by the equally impressive GOLD REVOLVER (3rd) and FLYING MIKKI (4th), who sustained strong gallops from back in the field after being caught wide without cover. Boldinho raced outside leader and emerging track specialist APACHE SONG, who has won three on the bounce now at The Valley, and was up for the fight.

BLISSFUL LADY (2nd of 10, Race 8)

Good effort first start in Australia around the right Valley circuit. Jockey Harry Coffey gave the five-year-old mare every opportunity, travelled nicely behind the speed. Shouldered out around the bend and buffeted between runners, took a few strides to balance up and looked like dropping out of the placings altogether but wound up again to hold second.

MISS COTOLETTA (5th of 10, Race 6)

First time on top of the ground and wound up strongly from back in the field fresh off a break. The three-year-old filly, trained by Jason Warren, won two of four starts last campaign – all on rain-affected surfaces. Has returned in great shape and another win not far away.

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FORGIVE

AIN’TNODEELDUN (9th of 13, Race 9) and FIRST IMMORTAL (11th of 13, Race 9)

Plain performances and would want a genuine each-way price next start but not prepared to sack them off respective runs. Both are better horses than what they delivered last Saturday. First Immortal enjoyed a gun run behind the speed but could not quicken and faded out of contention while Ain’tnodeeldun travelled back and inside runners, shouldered into the clear around the bend but only paddled late.

JAZZCLUB (6th of 10, Race 5)

Solid effort first-up after a long break. The three-year-old gelding travelled wide with cover midfield against the older horses and held own despite being under pressure approaching the home bend. Better for the run and should be hard to beat against own age group.

BON MISTRESS (8th of 10, Race 7)

Cluttered up behind and between horses in the run. Probably not suited by the track and back to 1600m after a dominant 1800m last start at Caulfield Heath. The four-year-old mare has won three of her past four starts and warrants another go.

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STEWARDS SAY
Jockey CELINE GAUDRAY was suspended for 16 meetings for high range careless riding. Gaudray shifted out on JENNI GONE BONKERS in Race 2 at The Valley when there was insufficient room to do so approaching the home bend. The action caused interference to multiple runners, most notably GREEN SPACES, who was severely checked and blundered when tightened for room. Gaudray pleaded guilty. Her suspension expires on January 12.

Originally published as Gilbert Gardiner’s Monday Racebook: Horses to follow and forgive at The Valley

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/horse-racing/vic-racing/gilbert-gardiners-monday-racebook-horses-to-follow-and-forgive-at-the-valley/news-story/15ecd622687daa793d47645fa83e93c3