My Gladiola has finally got the Group 1 monkey off her back claiming victory in the Moir Stakes at Sandown.
Traditionally run at Moonee Valley, this year’s Group 1 sprint over 1000m was transferred to Sandown as The Valley undergoes a rebuild.
The 1000m weight-for-age dash was an enthralling contest with My Gladiola ($9.50), ridden by Jamie Mott, overhauling Cavalry Girl ($8.50) in the shadows of the post to score by a short-neck with the $3 favourite Natural Fling a further three-quarters-of-a-length away third.
Prior to Saturday’s success, My Gladiola had twice been beaten by Tentyris in the Coolmore Stud Stakes and the Lightning Stakes (1000m), both on the straight track at Flemington.
Trainer John Mcardle said it was apt that My Gladiola had finally broken through at the highest level.
“She has run against the best her entire career,” McArdle said.
“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 considered scratching My Gladiola when the rain fell in the early hours of Saturday morning pushing the track into the soft range.
The trainer had considered saving the mare for the Group 2 The Shorts (1100m) at Randwick on September 19.
“Thank God, I second guessed myself a little bit,” McArdle said.
“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 said it was especially pleasing to team with Mott to secure a Group 1 win.
“Motty has been our stable rider for a long time,” McArdle said.
“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 landed his fifth win at the highest level, said he had never been as emotional as he was in guiding home My Gladiola.
“Just to do it for John is just unbelievable,” Mott said.
“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.”
