Flemington straight awaits My Gladiola's stakes breakthrough
John McArdle, trainer of the gifted filly My Gladiola, is bringing her back to Flemington aiming for a stakes triumph on the straight.
My Gladiola seeks her first win this campaign in Saturday's Listed VRC Sprint Classic (1100m) after two previous attempts down the Flemington straight.
The trainer is still recovering from the botched Newmarket Handicap performance, with My Gladiola the $4.80 second pick who ended tenth to Caballus without contesting.
On March 7, that Group 1 sprint over 1200m versus open company was My Gladiola's debut without Jamie Mott, across her 10 starts yielding two victories and six other podiums.
According to McArdle, the Newmarket was doomed from the outset at the gates.
"She came out of the run no problems, but it was a complete disaster from the start," McArdle said.
"We've just got to forget it happened and we start again.
"It was looking good leading up to the race, but as soon as they jumped it all went pear-shaped, but she came through it well, which is the main thing.
"A half-million-dollar race down the straight over 1100 metres, it should be ideal for her.
"We'll lick our wounds and go back and have another go."
Saturday sees My Gladiola with 56.5kg and Mott returning, unlike the light 50.5kg in the Newmarket below his limit.
Following this run, McArdle eyes the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville come April 25.
My Gladiola lacks only a Group 1 win, having been runner-up twice to Tentyris on Flemington's straight at elite grade.
"The Sangster should be a good race," McArdle said.
"She'll get in with 54-½ (kilos), and Jamie can ride her in both races," McArdle said.
"He knows her well and hopefully it will work out better than what her last run did.
"It's four weeks after Saturday to the Sangster. She'll have a trial in between and she should be good to go."
Backing up a fortnight after the Sangster into Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville on May 9 seems improbable for My Gladiola, per McArdle.
"She hasn't had a good record of backing up in two weeks, but we'll decide that after she runs in the Sangster," McArdle said.
"If she runs well, she'll probably get put away to get ready for the spring."
Find competitive racing betting markets for the VRC Sprint Classic among leading online bookmakers.
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