MERIDIANA won well when resuming over 1300m at Rosehill and was unlucky not have made it two from this two this prep.
Stepping out to 1500m in the Four Pillars last start, the John Sargent trained mare settled well back in the big field and found herself behind a wall of runners as she entered the home straight.
With plenty ground to make up, she powered home into second but the winner was off and gone.
A highly talented mare, she’s already recorded two wins and two placings from her six career starts and she looks very progressive.
She presents here at peak fitness and gets a senior rider back aboard with Jason Collett to take over the steering.
| 4. Meridiana (5) J: Jason Collett 58.5kg 38×12T: John Sargent |
GRAND PRAIRIE didn’t have the easiest of runs last start in the Springtime Stakes but he will have taken plenty of benefit from the outing.
From a wide gate the Written Tycoon colt got back and covered plenty of ground and just looked to feel the pinch late.
He was seven weeks between runs so he strips fitter again and I think the rise to the mile will suit.
He’d been racing in top form prior, having finished runner up in the Rosebud before taking out the Group 3 Up & Coming back in August, and he was lucky stay on his feet after clipping heels in the Ming Dynasty.
The low draw will see enjoy a cosy run throughout and he gets in very nicely under the set weights conditions.
| 1. Grand Prairie (2) J: Tom Sherry 56.5kg 22159T: Peter Snowden |
JIMMYSSTAR looks well placed to make it back to back wins after taking out the Russell Balding.
It was a well deserved win for the Per Incanto gelding, who has been terrific in all four runs this campaign.
He was out of his comfort zone at his prior start in the Everest, when pressed early to settle behind the leading pair but was strong to the line to finish third.
From the low draw last time, he settled midfield and powered away for them over the final part to put up a 2.7 legnth margin on the line.
He’s won four from five here at Caulfield, he’ll relish the rise to 1400m and Ethan Brown knows how to get the best out of him
| 1. Jimmysstar (3) J: Ethan Brown 59kg x5231T: Ciaron Maher |
MY GLADIOLA has been the runner up at her past two starts and I think she can go one better here.
She proved too good second up, storming home down the outside to take out the Cat D’Antibes and she was beaten by only the barest of margins in the Danehill at her following outing.
The I Am Invincible filly was brilliant last start in the Coolmore.
From the inside draw, she worked her way through the middle of the pack, hitting the line strongly late to claim second behind star colt Tentyris.
Back against her own sex and under set weights conditions, she looks very hard to beat.
| 1. My Gladiola (1) J: Jamie Mott 57.5kg x2122T: John McArdle |