My Gladiola stamps her 2025 Blue Diamond Stakes credentials

My Gladiola delivered a dazzling debut performance at Sandown, thrilling her trainer and a large group of owners with a dominant win. Competing in the filly's division of the Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) on Saturday, the John McArdle-trained two-year-old vaulted to favoritism for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), set to take place at Caulfield on February 22.

Following the impressive victory, My Gladiola’s odds were slashed from $15 to $5 with betting sites. She clocked a time that was a full second faster than the colt and gelding division, run just 35 minutes earlier.

Under the guidance of jockey Jamie Mott, My Gladiola ($5.50) cruised to a 1-½ length win over Price Tag ($5.50), with Wiltshire Square ($4.80) another 1-¾ lengths back in third place.

While trainer John McArdle was in New Zealand for the Karaka Yearling Sale, Mott spoke highly of the daughter of I Am Invincible, whom he had ridden in two prior jump-outs without asking for her best.

“I’m really excited by her and have been for quite a while,” Mott shared. “She jumps well, travels easily, and doesn’t overdo it.

“There were 13 runners here today, and all of them came thinking they were Blue Diamond contenders, but probably 10 of them will leave disappointed.

“I would’ve been happy with a narrow win knowing how much improvement she still has, but seeing her ability to accelerate and dominate like that is really exciting. She handled herself well in traffic and will only improve from here.”

McArdle previously hinted that the Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) on February 8 would be My Gladiola’s next stop on her way to the main event.

Earlier in the day, race experience proved decisive for Shining Smile, who returned from a spell to claim the colt and gelding division of the Blue Diamond Preview. The Lindsay Park-trained colt, who had three starts before Christmas, including a win at Caulfield in November, outclassed his five rivals despite a slow getaway.

Shining Smile quickly recovered, settling into a prominent position along the rail before taking control with 300m to go. Starting as the $1.65 favorite, he cruised to a 1-¾ length victory over a wayward Yamashita’s Gold ($21), with Bermondsey ($26) a short neck behind in third.

Ben Hayes, co-trainer with Will and J.D. Hayes, was pleased with the colt’s performance but said they would wait to see how he recovers before deciding on a run in the Blue Diamond Prelude.

“He’s very professional and handled the small field of unraced horses well,” Hayes said. “We’ll get a better sense of the form over the next couple of weeks as those horses race again.

“He’s done everything right to win one of the key lead-ups to the Blue Diamond, so he’s on track. We’ll consider running in the Prelude—it’s the most traditional path to the big one—but his recovery will be the main factor.”