John McArdle has kept every Group 1 sprint option open for My Gladiola as the filly edges closer to her autumn return.
The Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington shapes as a possible starting point as she builds fitness.
My Gladiola trialled at Caulfield Heath on Thursday where she narrowly prevailed over Giga Kick in an 800m heat.
Giga Kick is expected to resume in the Lightning Stakes.
The Lightning also suits from a rider perspective with Jamie Mott able to partner the filly under the conditions.
Should connections instead opt for the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 21, Mott would be unable to take the ride.
My Gladiola has proven herself down the Flemington straight, recording a win and two seconds from three appearances.
McArdle confirmed they would accept for the Lightning Stakes before deciding which direction to take.
“It works that we can accept in the Lightning and if it doesn’t work, we can go back to the Oakleigh Plate, but she is a very effective horse down the straight,” McArdle said.
“She’s run well at Caulfield, but a couple of times, mainly due to barriers she’s ended up in awkward spots, and she hasn’t been as effective.
“One of the other factors is Jamie can ride her in the Lightning, but he wouldn’t be able to ride her in the Oakleigh Plate.
“Having someone that knows her as well as he does is an advantage.
“She’ll have 53 (kg) in the Newmarket and he’ll ride her at 53-½ (kg) whereas she’ll get probably 51 (kg) in the Oakleigh Plate and he’s no hope of making that.
“That is a factor that myself and (part-owner) Paul Johnson have taken into consideration as she can be a bit of a trick ride.”
The filly has not raced since a third-place finish in the Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes (1200m) on November 15, which followed a narrow second in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m).
McArdle said Thursday’s trial would tighten her fitness.
“She needed the hit-out and the best part of it was she relaxed during the run which is what she needs to do,” McArdle said.
“She hit the front and then floated a bit and probably ran out of fitness a bit, but we’ve got a couple of weeks until the Lightning, so hopefully a couple more bits of work and she’ll be ready for the day.
“Physically she’s got bigger, she’s matured. She’s an older three-year-old now and mentally she’s learning her craft.
“She has to take that step up. She’s taking on the top-level horses, which she did against the three-year-olds in the spring but she’s taking on the older horses this time and hopefully she can take the next step.”
Punters monitoring racing betting markets will take note if My Gladiola heads to the Lightning Stakes.
The post My Gladiola on Lightning Stakes path first appeared on Just Horse Racing.
