My Gladiola has finally achieved her Group 1 milestone, capturing the Moir Stakes at Sandown.
This year’s Group 1 sprint over 1000 metres, usually contested at Moonee Valley, was transferred to Sandown as The Valley undergoes a significant rebuild.
The 1000-metre weight-for-age dash proved to be a captivating contest. My Gladiola ($9.50), steered by jockey Jamie Mott, managed to overhaul Cavalry Girl ($8.50) right on the line, winning by a short-neck. The $3 favourite, Natural Fling, finished a further three-quarters of a length behind in third.
Prior to Saturday’s significant success, My Gladiola had been defeated twice by Tentyris in the Coolmore Stud Stakes and the Lightning Stakes (1000m), both races run on the straight track at Flemington.
Trainer John McArdle commented that it was fitting for My Gladiola to finally break through at the highest level.
“She has run against the best her entire career,” McArdle said.
“We ran second to Tentyris a couple of times, in incredible times and she was deserving of this, but I didn’t think it was going to be today.
“I did before the rain came, but all the team at home have done a great job with her.”
McArdle had considered withdrawing My Gladiola when the rain fell in the early hours of Saturday morning, softening the track considerably.
The trainer had been contemplating saving the mare for the Group 2 The Shorts (1100m) at Randwick on September 19.
“Thank God, I second guessed myself a little bit,” McArdle admitted.
“We were thinking about scratching and thankfully they put it up as a (soft) seven.
“If it had been an (heavy) eight, we may not have been here.
“Things went her way today. The wind and the sun dried the track out a bit, and Jamie gave her a great ride.
“Getting a good barrier we didn’t have to go as far back as we normally do and she’s got the job done.”
McArdle stated that it was especially pleasing to secure a Group 1 win with Mott.
“Motty has been our stable rider for a long time,” McArdle explained.
“When he was getting a couple of rides in the bush, we were putting him on in Group races with Humma Humma.
“I always said, ‘you stick with me, I’ll stick with you’ and we have. We’ve been close plenty of times and now we’ve done it.”
Mott, who landed his fifth win at the highest level, conveyed his profound emotion in guiding My Gladiola to the victory.
“Just to do it for John is just unbelievable,” Mott said.
“He’s had a Group 1 winner in the past and he’s loyal to me as a jockey, and I’ve loved working closely with him and his team.
“Obviously with her coming along, she’s been so special. (She was) yet to tick off that Group 1, but we knew she was good enough.
“I’m absolutely over the moon.
“My fifth Group I and I haven’t been this emotional (for the others), so it’s pretty special.”
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