John McArdle to unveil well-bred filly My Gladiola in Blue Diamond Preview at Sandown

A trip to Sandown for a gallop on Tuesday should benefit impressively-bred youngster My Gladiola ahead of Saturday’s Blue Diamond Preview.

Trainer John McArdle will unveil impressively-bred two-year-old My Gladiola in Saturday’s Blue Diamond Preview at Sandown. Picture: Getty Images

The perfect two-year-old pedigree and a sneak peek at Sandown could help My Gladiola in Saturday’s Group 3 Blue Diamond Preview.

My Gladiola is related to former two-year-old star and two-year-old breeding influence Rory’s Jester while her pedigree features several two-year-old stakes winners, including her dam, Villa Verde.

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Trainer John McArdle said he thought the I Am Invincible filly was going to be out of connections’ price range, but one part-owner was keen to secure her, going to $550,000 at a yearling sale last year.

“We thought she was going to make too much money at the sale and Paul Johnson, her main owner, was in love with her so he stuck strong on her,” McArdle said.

“Hopefully she can repay him on Saturday.

“Villa Verde was a very good two-year-old, a very good horse full stop and she is by I Am Invincible, so she’s got a great two-year-old pedigree.”

McArdle took My Gladiola to Sandown for a gallop with jockey Jamie Mott aboard on Tuesday morning.

The grey has had a tendency to carry her head to one side during her jumpout wins at Mornington and Caulfield Heath, but the Mornington horseman said My Gladiola performed well in her latest gallop.

My Gladiola is closely related to former star two-year-old and champion stallion Rory’s Jester.

“She just lays in a bit and runs around and does a few things wrong, but she’s got a motor,” McArdle said.

“We gave her a gallop with a mate and Jamie was very happy with her.

“She went pretty straight even though she never went off the bridle.

“Hopefully it’s enough to familiarise herself with the surroundings and she goes straight on Saturday.”

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McArdle said size would not be an issue for My Gladiola in her racing debut.

He said the youngster was strongly built despite her youth but still had development left in her.

“She’s bigger than what you think she is. She weighs in at about 520kg and is very strong,” McArdle said.

“She’s similar to her mother. She’s got a big powerful shoulder on her and a powerful back end on her.

“Ever since she’s come into the stable, she’s stepped up every time we’ve asked her to.

“Hopefully, she can step up again on Saturday.”

Originally published as John McArdle to unveil well-bred filly My Gladiola in Blue Diamond Preview at Sandown