Blue Diamond Prelude over Inglis Millennium for My Gladiola
Trainer John McArdle has opted to keep promising filly My Gladiola in Melbourne, despite being invited to contest a lucrative restricted race in Sydney. His focus remains on securing a Group 1 victory.
The $2 million Inglis Millennium (1100m) is set to take place at Randwick on Saturday, coinciding with the Group 2 fillies’ division of the Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) at Caulfield.
My Gladiola made an impressive debut, claiming victory in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) at Sandown on January 25. With the prestigious Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 22 looming, McArdle sees staying in Melbourne as the best course of action.
“They (people from Inglis) rang me and asked if I was coming,” McArdle said regarding the Sydney invitation.
“She is eligible for the race and qualified, but with the view that the Blue Diamond is her target, it’s a bit hard on a young horse to take them to Sydney and then come back down and race again.”
My Gladiola currently leads the betting markets for the Blue Diamond Stakes at $4, though upcoming Prelude results could shift the rankings.
McArdle was pleased with the filly’s debut, highlighting her ability to accelerate when needed.
“I usually do take them off the bridle before race day, but she ran around a bit (in her jumpout) so that made it hard for Jamie Mott to do that a bit,” McArdle said.
“That was the question she needed to answer, and it was good to see her respond.”
Having previously won a jumpout at Caulfield Heath before her Sandown run, McArdle is eager to see how she handles the Caulfield track again.
He noted that My Gladiola seemed slightly unsettled at Sandown due to the open spaces after leaving the chute.
“Jamie did comment that when she came out of the chute and into the wide-open spaces that she had a good look,” McArdle said.
“She physically is a big girl, she carries a bit of condition and still has got a fair bit on her, but she did a bit of evens on Saturday morning, and she was spot on doing it.
“All the data was good, she was lovely and relaxed, so she looks to be in really good order.”
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