My Gladiola out to stay unbeaten in Blue Diamond Prelude for fillies at Caulfield

Race experience and the move to the smaller Caulfield circuit could play a part in dynamic debut winner My Gladiola staying unbeaten in Saturday’s Blue Diamond Prelude for fillies.

Impressive debut winner My Gladiola will attempt to remain unbeaten in Saturday's Blue Diamond Prelude for fillies at Caulfield. Picture: Racing Photos

A tighter track could help My Gladiola remain unbeaten in Saturday’s Blue Diamond Prelude for fillies at Caulfield.

My Gladiola was a dominant debut winner on the spacious Sandown Lakeside circuit last month but will step up in grade and distance in the Group 2 contest.

Trainer John McArdle said My Gladiola would improve with race experience while a good barrier at Caulfield would be perfect for the two-year-old.

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“She got pretty lost at Sandown when she got to the big, wide open spaces,” McArdle said.

“She’s been to Caulfield before, albeit not on the main track, but she’s got good speed and, as long as she draws a gate, she can sit behind the speed and hopefully do what she did last start.

“She seems to have improved but the Prelude is often a tougher race.”

The Mornington-based McArdle said My Gladiola recovered quickly from her debut exertions and done well in the ensuing period.

"This has been a smart effort."

Well-bred filly My Gladiola (I Am Invincible x Villa Verde) impresses on debut at Sandown 🔥@[e-mail]/1F491e3i7Q

— Racing.com (@Racing) January 25, 2025

“She ate up on the Saturday night and she’s been nice and bright and happy so the signs have been good,” McArdle said.

“At this stage everything seems to be going all right.

“She hasn’t missed a beat.”

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My Gladiola opened as the clear $2.60 favourite in early all-in betting on the fillies’ Blue Diamond Prelude ahead of the unbeaten Phillip Stokes-trained filly La Roux.

The Clinton McDonald-trained Hayasugi won all three races in last year’s Blue Diamond series, culminating in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes.

My Gladiola tops Blue Diamond Stakes betting at $4.

McArdle said My Gladiola’s performance in the Blue Diamond Prelude would determine whether she progressed to the 2025 edition of Victoria’s richest two-year-old race on February 22.

“We’ll go there and see how she stands up,” McArdle said.

“As long as she runs well, she’ll head the Diamond.”

Originally published as My Gladiola out to stay unbeaten in Blue Diamond Prelude for fillies at Caulfield