Trainer John McArdle has harboured Group 1 ambitions for promising filly My Gladiola ever since her initial success on debut.
However, those high hopes were dashed on two occasions, first due to a tough gate in the Blue Diamond Stakes and later from an inward draw in the Coolmore Stud Stakes along the Flemington straight last spring.
Conditions appear favourable for My Gladiola as she prepares to contest the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) at Flemington this Saturday.
The filly has secured the outermost barrier in the lineup of eight runners, as McArdle pursues his third Group 1 triumph and his initial one in over two decades.
“The outside draw suits her better than being inside,” McArdle said.
“In the Coolmore she was drawn down on the inside and had to follow Tentyris, this time she should be in clean air all the way and he will need to chase her down.”
My Gladiola has competed along the straight three times previously, claiming victory in the Listed Cap D’Antibes Stakes (1100m) and placing runner-up on her other pair of efforts.
After winning her debut at Sandown, My Gladiola suffered defeat on resumption at Caulfield in her previous preparation, with McArdle noting that the filly performs superiorly down the Flemington straight compared to navigating turns at Caulfield.
This influenced the selection of Saturday’s event over the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield the following Saturday, combined with regular jockey Jamie Mott able to carry half a kilogram extra at 54kg aboard My Gladiola.
The filly hasn’t started since her third placing in the Thoroughbred Club Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield during mid-November, followed by a three-week break before targeting these pair of major Flemington sprints, the subsequent being the Newmarket Handicap (1200m) on March 7.
McArdle would have liked an additional trial for My Gladiola, but following a strong workout at Mornington on Tuesday, he believes she is primed.
“Jamie galloped her on Tuesday morning and was happy with the way she went,” McArdle said.
“We put a mate out in front of her to give her something to chase and all the data was good.
“She’s probably a touch above her racing weight, but I think that’s because she’s matured and strengthen up a bit more.
“She’s a powerful girl, but we can’t be unhappy with the way she’s got to the races, so we’ll see if she’s good enough and if she is, and runs well, then we’ll head to the Newmarket.
“Jamie’s happy with her and he’s getting down to 54 kilos to ride her.
“That gives us some confidence.”
Betting markets for the Black Caviar Lightning are heating up, with punters able to explore options at Australian betting sites.
The post my-gladiola-in-search-of-maiden-g1 first appeared on Just Horse Racing.