Trainer John McArdle is keeping all Group 1 sprint options on the table for his filly My Gladiola during an autumn campaign.
That first option may come in the Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on Saturday week as the filly nears a return to racing.
My Gladiola stepped out at the trials at Caulfield Heath on Thursday, narrowly defeating Giga Kick in the 800m hit-out.
Giga Kick is down to resume in the Lightning Stakes.
The Lightning Stakes also appeals to McArdle as it will enable connections to engage the filly’s regular rider Jamie Mott.
If My Gladiola is saved for the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 21, a new rider will need to be found as My Gladiola will not get enough weight for Mott’s services.
Also in My Gladiola’s favour is her liking for Flemington where she has a win and two seconds from three starts at the track.
McArdle said he would accept in the Lightning Stakes and assess the barrier before committing to a start knowing the Oakleigh Plate is there as a back-up.
“It works that we can accept in the Lightning and if it doesn’t work, we can go back to the Oakleigh Plate, but she is a very effective horse down the straight,” McArdle said.
“She’s run well at Caulfield, but a couple of times, mainly due to barriers she’s ended up in awkward spots, and she hasn’t been as effective.
“One of the other factors is Jamie can ride her in the Lightning, but he wouldn’t be able to ride her in the Oakleigh Plate.
“Having someone that knows her as well as he does is an advantage.
“She’ll have 53 (kg) in the Newmarket and he’ll ride her at 53-½ (kg) whereas she’ll get probably 51 (kg) in the Oakleigh Plate and he’s no hope of making that.
“That is a factor that myself and (part-owner) Paul Johnson have taken into consideration as she can be a bit of a trick ride.”
My Gladiola hasn’t raced since finishing third in the Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on November 15 which followed a second-place finish to Tentyris in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) on November 1.
McArdle said My Gladiola would derive plenty of benefit from Thursday’s hit-out.
“She needed the hit-out and the best part of it was she relaxed during the run which is what she needs to do,” McArdle said.
“She hit the front and then floated a bit and probably ran out of fitness a bit, but we’ve got a couple of weeks until the Lightning, so hopefully a couple more bits of work and she’ll be ready for the day.
“Physically she’s got bigger, she’s matured. She’s an older three-year-old now and mentally she’s learning her craft.
“She has to take that step up. She’s taking on the top-level horses, which she did against the three-year-olds in the spring but she’s taking on the older horses this time and hopefully she can take the next step.”
