The John McArdle-trained My Gladiola ($5.00) has stamped herself as a potential star two-year-old, making a mess of her rivals in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Preview (F) (1000m) at Sandown on Saturday afternoon.
The daughter of I Am Invincible put the writing on the wall heading into her debut assignment, securing back-to-back jump-out victories before being sent to the races.
Jamie Mott lobbed into a perfect stalking position throughout the 1000m journey, as the Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr)-trained Too Darn Crystal ($14.00) was sent forward under Damien Lane to set a modest tempo in the early stages.
Wiltshire Square ($4.80) was heavily backed with horse racing bookmakers prior to the start, and looked to get every chance landing on the back of the leader throughout, while Price Tag ($5.00) looked to pinch a run towards the inside from stall one.
The run of Too Darn Crystal came to an end at the top of the straight, with My Gladiola sauntering to the lead under the Jamie Mott drive, while Price Tag and Wiltshire Square could only fight out the finish for minor money.
It was a sensational debut by My Gladiola, and stable representative Danielle Smith couldn’t have been happier with the performance.
“It’s always a little bit nerve-wracking when you’ve got an opinion of a horse and you bring them to the races and you haven’t truly let them off the bridle,” said Smith.
“She is an absolute professional. Everyone said her mum (Villa Verde) was similar, and she walked around like a six-year-old gelding today, she couldn’t have been any more professional.
“Motty (Jamie Mott) was pretty confident there were some gears there, so it was nice to see her do that today.”
Jamie Mott was thrilled with the performance as well, suggesting there’s still more to come from My Gladiola.
“Really excited by her,” said Mott.
“I have been for quite a while, she’s just the real deal.
“She jumps good, she travels well, she’s sensible, she doesn’t overdo it. She’s only had two jump-outs so there’s so much more improvement to come but loved her pieces of work leading into this.
“She’s never really been in amongst them before, so it was a new experience for her, but once we straightened and balanced I gave her a squeeze I knew I had the race won a long way out.”
My Gladiola has now moved into favouritism at $7.00 with for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) on February 22.
Horse racing news
