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

Herald Sun racing writer Gilbert Gardiner runs a rule over Listed Carlyon Stakes Day at The Valley.

Gilbert GardinerGilbert Gardiner
@gilbertgardiner
2 min read
August 26, 2024 - 7:00AM
Mornington Glory defeated Golden Boom and Sans Doute (orange) in the Listed Carlyon Stakes. Picture: George Salpigtidis / Racing Photos
Mornington Glory defeated Golden Boom and Sans Doute (orange) in the Listed Carlyon Stakes. Picture: George Salpigtidis / Racing Photos

Racenet and The Herald-Sun’s Gilbert Gardiner runs a rule over Listed Carlyon Stakes Day at The Valley.

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FIVE TO FOLLOW

SANS DOUTE (3rd, Race 8)
Not great away – she jumped as the barriers opened – but that probably helped the Mark Walker-trained mare avoid an early speed battle. Last on the bend but got onto the back of the eventual winner Mornington Glory and let down strongly. Swept the time sheets in doing so, with the fastest last 800m (44.59sec), 600m (34.04sec), 400m (22.76sec) and 200m (11.43sec) sectionals on the card. Options abound at The Valley and Flemington, where Sans Doute won four on the bounce down the straight last campaign.

PHOTOGRAPH (2nd, Race 4)
Impossible to ignore really. Would be in a lot of black books anyway after back-to-back wins to start the campaign and a certainty beaten at The Valley. Jumped well but could not settle one-out, one-back as intended, so snagged back in the field. Widest around the bend and rocketed to the finish so fast Jamie Kah dropped the reins just before the post. A Group-winning Photograph is coming.

LAVALIER (3rd, Race 3)
A classic colt with a rich pedigree: half-brother to Pericles, Helmet, Epaulette and Bullbars. Travelled comfortably three pairs back last Saturday at The Valley but left flat-footed when the speed went into the race, got motivated under the urging of Jamie Kah, to pick up, slide off heels and work into third. Liked his last 200m especially, could he build towards a Moonee Valley Vase or Victoria Derby?

GOOD OIL (unplaced, Race 6)
Multiple Group 2-placed Kiwi stayer not sharp enough to go with the milers at The Valley but stuck to the task well despite racing in restricted room. Good Oil has previously only warmed up at 2000m-plus distances and preferably beyond 2400m. Lots of options going forward, country cups and the like for the Group 2 Avondale and Auckland Cup-placed stayer.

GLITTER ‘N’ GOLD (Unplaced, Race 5)
Handy mare on her day, a multiple country cup winner, and should only improve after running fifth in a bunched finish first-up at 2040m. The backmarker needs speed in her races and got none last Saturday, but stuck on well late.

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FORGIVE

SEA WHAT I SEE(Unplaced, Race 7): Just too bad to be true. Sure she raced keenly but showed too much last campaign, won six straight, to fade out before the bend. Small field, tactical race, maybe her undoing but happy to put a line through the performance.

BOLD BASTILLE(Unplaced, Race 8): Within striking distance on straightening but could not quicken as sharply as the older, more seasoned horses. The electric three-year-old filly should be back in the winner’s list against her own age and sex.

RAIKOKE(Unplaced, Race 9): Travelled outside the leader but first under pressure around the bend and basically eased down to the line. Jockey Jamie Kah reported the gelding felt uncomfortable in its action. A post-race veterinary inspection revealed the gelding lame in the left foreleg.

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

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