My Gladiola on 2026 Lightning Stakes path

All top-level sprint targets remain under consideration for My Gladiola as trainer John McArdle maps out her autumn program.

The Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington is shaping as the likely first stop as the filly approaches race fitness.

My Gladiola had a solid hit-out at Caulfield Heath on Thursday, edging out Giga Kick in an 800m trial.

Giga Kick is expected to line up in the Lightning Stakes.

The Lightning Stakes also allows Jamie Mott to continue his association with the filly.

Should connections pivot to the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield later in the month, a different jockey would be required.

My Gladiola’s Flemington record is a strong factor, with a win and two placings from three starts down the straight.

McArdle said acceptance would be lodged for the Lightning Stakes before any final commitment.

“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.”

Her most recent appearance came when third in the Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes (1200m) on November 15 after finishing runner-up in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m).

McArdle said the trial would sharpen her up.

“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.”

Followers using online betting platforms will be tracking My Gladiola closely if she runs in the Lightning Stakes.

The post My Gladiola on Lightning Stakes path first appeared on Just Horse Racing.