John McArdle brings his talented filly My Gladiola back to Flemington seeking a stakes victory along the straight.
Saturday’s Listed VRC Sprint Classic (1100m) presents My Gladiola an opportunity for success after two prior runs on the Flemington straight this term.
Still smarting from the failed Newmarket Handicap, McArdle recalls My Gladiola as $4.80 second favourite who ran tenth to Caballus, never threatening.
The 1200m Group 1 on March 7 pitted My Gladiola against elite open sprinters for the first time sans Jamie Mott, in a 10-start tally of two wins and six places.
The Newmarket Handicap for My Gladiola was lost immediately upon leaving the stalls, said McArdle.
“She came out of the run no problems, but it was a complete disaster from the start,” McArdle said.
“We’ve just got to forget it happened and we start again.
“It was looking good leading up to the race, but as soon as they jumped it all went pear-shaped, but she came through it well, which is the main thing.
“A half-million-dollar race down the straight over 1100 metres, it should be ideal for her.
“We’ll lick our wounds and go back and have another go.”
My Gladiola shoulders 56.5kg Saturday with Mott aboard again, after carrying just 50.5kg below his scale in the Newmarket.
Next, McArdle has the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on April 25 in sights post-Saturday.
Only a Group 1 win escapes My Gladiola, with two seconds behind Tentyris on Flemington’s straight at maximum grade.
“The Sangster should be a good race,” McArdle said.
“She’ll get in with 54-½ (kilos), and Jamie can ride her in both races,” McArdle said.
“He knows her well and hopefully it will work out better than what her last run did.
“It’s four weeks after Saturday to the Sangster. She’ll have a trial in between and she should be good to go.”
A quick turnaround two weeks after Sangster to the Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville on May 9 isn’t on for My Gladiola, according to McArdle.
“She hasn’t had a good record of backing up in two weeks, but we’ll decide that after she runs in the Sangster,” McArdle said.
“If she runs well, she’ll probably get put away to get ready for the spring.”
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