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Monday Racebook: Gilbert Gardiner’s horses to follow and forgive from Caulfield

Herald Sun racing writer Gilbert Gardiner’s horses to follow and forgive from Caulfield.

Gilbert GardinerGilbert Gardiner
@gilbertgardiner
2 min read
November 30, 2025 - 12:22PM
Motorsports (red cap) surged to victory but Recuperato (pink and blue jacket) finished strongly in the Group 3 Blue Sapphire Stakes at Caulfield. Picture: Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images
Motorsports (red cap) surged to victory but Recuperato (pink and blue jacket) finished strongly in the Group 3 Blue Sapphire Stakes at Caulfield. Picture: Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Herald Sun racing writer Gilbert Gardiner’s horses to follow and forgive from Caulfield.

FIVE TO FOLLOW

ALIBABA (3rd, R2)

Slow into stride on debut, then ridden along to hold a position behind the speed, which ultimately turned into a luckless situation. The smart colt only got out the last 50m and did enough to grab third but never tested. STRETAN RULER (2nd) gallant in defeat, faced the breeze three wide the trip on debut and carted up the winner ETERNAL WARRIOR, who also coursed wide throughout albeit with some cover.

RECUPERATO (2nd, R4)

Swap running positions at the 600m and the result could be flipped. The Farnan filly raced inside smart eventual Group 3 Blue Sapphire winner MOTORSPORTS at the back of the field but had to then slide off heels to get into clear air in the straight. Motorsports pinched a winning break as Recuperato balanced up and revved up again late.

REGENERATION (3rd) game in defeat. Set a fast tempo and held on for a minor prize.

HUGHES (unplaced, R10)

Nice return in a race not necessarily run to suit, as winner HERE TO SHOCK dictated the early tempo and turned the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes (1400m) in a 600m sprint home. Hughes should only improve out of the run, his first since July, and be hard to beat second-up. Looks set for a successful summer campaign. Runner-up PERSIAN SPIRIT huge from back in the field also, recorded the quickest last 400m and 200m sectionals on the card.

SNITZ SONIC (3rd, R5)

No match for strong winner DIFFERENT GRAVY, none in the race were, but Snitz Sonic is certainly headed in the right direction. Fourth start in first racing preparation, so probably earned a break, but has the talent to pick off a nice target as an autumn three-year-old.

BRAYDEN STAR (unplaced, R8)

Nice bridging run to the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) on December 13 and should appreciate the drop in class and handicap conditions. Under the pump a long way from home but stuck to the task in the Group 2 Zipping Classic. INTERPRETATION (unplaced) also good from the back. The Bagot Handicap (2800m) at Flemington looms as a nice target.

FORGIVE

SKIPPER’S CANYON (4th, R3)

Made a mess of the race. Missed the start by five lengths, mustered up to tack onto the back of the field, under hard riding a long way out and looked destined to run a poor last but rallied late to charge into fourth. Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) the target but has to iron out the barrier manners.

ALMOST AN ANGEL (unplaced, R2)

Midfield in the ruck and never got clean air. Never tested and ultimately an inconclusive watch. Enjoyed the right the trail on debut at Caulfield Heath and walloped midweek opposition only 10 days ago. Two runs in a fortnight coupled with a challenging race set up enough to be forgiving.

BELLATRIX STAR (unplaced, R9)

Bounded at the start and slowly into stride in her first race for 12-months after a career-threatening injury. The Group 1-placed sprinter battled to make an impression thereafter. Jockey Mark Zahra could offer stewards no explanation for the performance. A post-race vet examination did not reveal any significant findings. Has the class to rebound, assuming ring rust is the only issue.

POISON CHALICE (unplaced, R7)

Better than such a meek performance. Forced to lead, travelled nicely but hoisted the white flag too easily in the straight. Only third-up for the preparation so should take fitness benefit and probably wants to chase than set the tempo. Not sure I’d be diving into the $2 and change price next start though.


Originally published as Monday Racebook: Gilbert Gardiner’s horses to follow and forgive from Caulfield

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