NewsBite

Monday Racebook: Gilbert Gardiner’s horses to follow, forgive at Caulfield

Herald Sun racing writer Gilbert Gardiner’s horses to follow from Blue Diamond Stakes Day at Caulfield.

Gilbert GardinerGilbert Gardiner
@gilbertgardiner
3 min read
February 24, 2025 - 7:15AM
Pitching Punters Season 2 - Episode 1 | Punters

Racenet and The Herald Sun racing writer Gilbert Gardiner’s horses to follow from Blue Diamond Stakes Day at Caulfield.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

FIVE TO FOLLOW

TYCOON STAR (3rd, Race 8)

Currently a $15 chance for the Group 1 Golden Slipper on March 22 at Rosehill. The Lindsay Park colt should at least be half the price. Massive run from back in the field in the Blue Diamond last Saturday – what might’ve been with a kinder draw than barrier 14 of 16 – but settled for third. Faced an impossible task getting back to third last in a snail-paced Blue Diamond, and only beaten a length. TENTYRIS (2nd) went super on a seven-day back-up, while TEMPTED (unplaced) had no luck at all, jammed up in traffic. Further afield on the calendar, AUTUMN MYSTERY (unplaced) has serious spring appeal as a long range Caulfield Guineas and Victoria Derby candidate.

FUTURITY STAKES FIRST FOUR

Champion MR BRIGHTSIDEhas been steeled for the Group 1 All-Star Mile at Flemington on March 8 with two tough Group 1 performances, runner-up in the CF Orr Stakes and triumphant last Saturday in the Futurity Stakes. TOM KITTEN (2nd) has claims on the All-Star Mile also on the back of a strong first-up performance. I WISH I WIN (3rd) should be hard to hold out in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington (March 8), while EVAPORATE (4th) has the inaugural NZB The Kiwi slot-race in New Zealand at his mercy.

TREASURETHE MOMENT (1st, Race 5)

Serious, serious racehorse this. The VRC Oaks winner resumed with an emphatic dare say effortless Group 2 Angus Armanasco Stakes (1400m) win at Caulfield. The Matt Laurie-trained filly had the race won a long way from home and cruised to victory over the plucky JENNI THE FOX. Another race in Melbourne (Kewney Stakes) and then Sydney awaits – Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes and Australian Oaks double.

ARABIAN SUMMER (5th, Race 9)

Massive effort, albeit with a feather weight, but chased a fierce speed into the wind and only relented the last little bit as the first four swept past from suck runs back in the field. Leaders GOLDEN BOOM (12th) and INSURRECTION (15th) in contrast dropped out quickly in the straight. Four runs under the belt already for Arabian Summer but the weight-for-age Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at The Valley on March 22 must be considered.

HEADWALL (4th, Race 9)

Entitled to finish off given the race shape but did so very much under own steam in restricted room to run fourth. Only lightly-raced, won six of 14 and placed another six times, and first-up last Saturday so loads of improvement to come. Is the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) on March 8 at Flemington an option? The Matthew Smith-trained sprinter finished second in a benchmark race down the straight last spring.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

FORGIVE

PERICLES (unplaced, Race 7)

Chased a hot speed and under pressure around the bend. Jockey Blake Shinn told stewards Pericles would appreciate a track with more give in the ground. The Group 1-placed middle distance galloper pulled up with an exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH), that may have affected the performance.

CHERISH ME (unplaced, Race 8)

Forget she went around. Midfield in a slowly-run race (6-1/2 lengths slower than standard time to the 800m) and jammed between horses to boot. The developing filly Cherish Me could not build any momentum in the straight and went to the post largely untested. Should develop into a very nice three-year-old.

I AM ME (unplaced, Race 9) and ESTRIELLA (unplaced, Race 9)

I Am Me raced in restricted room, restrained at the 100m, and caught in the backwash as the leaders faded out of contention quickly. The multiple Group 1-placed was in striking distance but denied any momentum at a crucial stage. Stablemate Estriella, also first-up in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate, failed to fire but more than capable of rebound in the William Reid maybe?

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

STEWARDS SAY

– Stewards questioned jockey CRAIG WILLIAMS in relation to tactics on runner-up LOFTY ARCH in the Group 3 Zeditave Stakes (1200m). Lofty Arch raced four wide without cover throughout. Williams was instructed to settle in a forward position but in consultation with trainer Alex Rae he expressed concerns with the strong headwinds facing the field from the 1200m chute. He tried to obtain cover but circumstances led to Lofty Arch being caught wide without cover. Lofty Arch peaked on the run late. Rae confirmed his pre-race instructions and satisfaction with the Williams ride.

– DAMIAN LANEalso faced stewards after the ride on GRINZINGER BELLE in the Group 3 Mannerism Stakes (1400m). Grinzinger Belle, as customary, led the field but tired in the run first-up. Lane said the mare led comfortably but in hindsight he felt in the middle stages he may have been better served to ease and set a steadier tempo. Trainer Danny O’Brien confirmed the instructions and concurred with Lane’s assessment. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a slower than expected recovery.

Originally published as Monday Racebook: Gilbert Gardiner’s horses to follow, forgive at Caulfield

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

More related stories

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/horse-racing/vic-racing/monday-racebook-gilbert-gardiners-horses-to-follow-forgive-at-caulfield/news-story/9c5a4e428f561dfba0f128e0e96f78f4