Monday Racebook: Gilbert Gardiner’s horses to follow and forgive at The Valley

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FIVE TO FOLLOW

BENEDETTA (1-length 2nd of 9, Race 9): Due a change of luck, surely? Racing very well without the ultimate reward. Went super first-up in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes and then luckless in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap when she was back in the ruck and ran into dead ends. Primed third-up but pattern against the Group 1 mare. Sustained a strong gallop from midfield on her own to get within a length of winner SCHWARZ. Third-placed and favourite JIMMYSSTAR was equally impressive from a clear last in the run. More ground is now ideal for him.

STATUARIO (2.1-length 3rd of 9, Race 6): No match for winner SHANWAH but trapped wide on inferior ground and fought hard to the post. Poised to run second but peaked late as IMPERIALIST got the bob. Should be ready to show best now with three runs under the belt and the Emma-Lee and David Browne stable is in fine form.

PIVOT CITY (1-length 2nd of 11, Race 3): One of the few horses to make significant ground from back in the field. Admittedly this race was early on the card but Pivot City certainly has a bright future now after being gelded. Arrived in time to win first-up at Flemington and then not beaten far at The Valley as leader as winner ELOUYOU dictated the race.

ICY POLE (5.8-length 7th of 11, Race 10): Thrown in the deep end as a Benchmark 64 winner up against a host of stakes-performed fillies, including winners, but the three-year-old competed strongly enough up in grade and only third-up. Travelled behind the speed and was set to run a cheeky race until she was jammed up at the top of the straight and lost momentum.

HEDGED (5-length 5th of 11, Race 11): Solid return in tricky conditions. Settled worse than midfield in the run first-up and was under the pump approaching the home bend but responded under the urging of apprentice jockey Logan Bates. Never a factor in the contest but liked his last 150m.

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FORGIVE

SHE’S BULLETPROOF (4.8-length 5th of 9, Race 9): Matched motors with William Reid Stakes winner SCHWARZ but could not go on with the job on the wet track. Different story for her and others potentially on dry ground. Unplaced REY MAGNERIO, MAHARBA and ARABIAN SUMMER also battled in the conditions.

MOLLY BLOOM (21.6-length 12th of 13, Race 8): Raced keenly early and then eased off heels near the 1200m. Jockey Craig Williams looked after the mare late and told stewards, in his opinion, there may be something amiss with Molly Bloom. A post-race vet examination did not reveal any significant findings. Stewards will follow up with the stable.

SNEAKY SUNRISE (6.2-length 6th of 10, Race 7): Slow into stride and last in the run. Cut the corner to make up some late ground but never a factor. Jockey Luke Currie said Sneaky Sunrise did not appreciate the tight turning track and soft conditions.

TOP CALIBRE (6.8-length 9th of 11, Race 3): Missed the start and raced three wide without cover throughout, further back than intended. Jockey Craig Williams reported Top Calibre made an abnormal respiratory noise. A post-race examination revealed a slow recovery and a throat condition that may have affected the performance.

EMPHASIZE (8.6-length 7th of 9, Race 6): Raced fiercely through the early and middle stages. A post-race veterinary examination identified blood at both nostrils. Emphasize will be spelled and cannot race again for at least three months.

Originally published as Monday Racebook: Gilbert Gardiner’s horses to follow and forgive at The Valley