My Gladiola has finally shed the Group 1 burden, securing a triumphant victory in the Moir Stakes at Sandown.

Although typically held at Moonee Valley, this year’s Group 1 sprint over 1000 metres was relocated to Sandown due to ongoing renovations at The Valley.

The 1000-metre weight-for-age race delivered an exciting spectacle, with My Gladiola ($9.50), expertly ridden by Jamie Mott, narrowly overtaking Cavalry Girl ($8.50) just before the finish line, winning by a short-neck. The $3 favourite, Natural Fling, finished a further three-quarters of a length behind in third.

Prior to her breakthrough on Saturday, My Gladiola had faced defeats against Tentyris twice in the Coolmore Stud Stakes and the Lightning Stakes (1000m), both contested on the straight course at Flemington.

Trainer John McArdle expressed that it was fitting for My Gladiola to achieve her maiden top-level success.

“She has run against the best her entire career,” McArdle stated.

“We ran second to Tentyris a couple of times, in incredible times and she was deserving of this, but I didn’t think it was going to be today.

“I did before the rain came, but all the team at home have done a great job with her.”

McArdle had contemplated withdrawing My Gladiola when early Saturday morning rain softened the track considerably.

The trainer had considered saving the mare for The Shorts (1100m), a Group 2 race scheduled for Randwick on September 19.

“Thank God, I second guessed myself a little bit,” McArdle admitted.

“We were thinking about scratching and thankfully they put it up as a (soft) seven.

“If it had been an (heavy) eight, we may not have been here.

“Things went her way today. The wind and the sun dried the track out a bit, and Jamie gave her a great ride.

“Getting a good barrier we didn’t have to go as far back as we normally do and she’s got the job done.”

McArdle highlighted the particular satisfaction of securing a Group 1 win in partnership with Mott.

“Motty has been our stable rider for a long time,” McArdle explained.

“When he was getting a couple of rides in the bush, we were putting him on in Group races with Humma Humma.

“I always said, ‘you stick with me, I’ll stick with you’ and we have. We’ve been close plenty of times and now we’ve done it.”

Mott, who celebrated his fifth Group 1 triumph, conveyed his profound emotion while guiding My Gladiola to victory.

“Just to do it for John is just unbelievable,” Mott shared.

“He’s had a Group 1 winner in the past and he’s loyal to me as a jockey, and I’ve loved working closely with him and his team.

“Obviously with her coming along, she’s been so special. (She was) yet to tick off that Group 1, but we knew she was good enough.

“I’m absolutely over the moon.

“My fifth Group I and I haven’t been this emotional (for the others), so it’s pretty special.”

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