The first major sprint feature of the Melbourne spring produced a breakthrough Group 1 moment that had been building for some time. In a high-quality edition of the Moir Stakes, John McArdle’s brilliant grey mare My Gladiola finally earned the elite-level success her consistency had long deserved, storming home under Jamie Mott to capture her maiden Group 1. Racing at Sandown while Moonee Valley undergoes redevelopment, the 1000-metre dash was run at a frantic tempo, with Cavalry Girl taking up the running and giving plenty of kick. But when Mott angled My Gladiola into clear air, her trademark acceleration proved decisive as she surged over the top to score, with Cavalry Girl brave in second and favourite Natural Fling fighting on well for third.
While My Gladiola stole the headlines in Melbourne, Randwick delivered a pair of performances that could have major implications for the coming weeks. The first came in the Concorde Stakes, where Tempted announced herself as Ka Ying Rising’s main competitor with a devastating first-up victory. Settling off the speed, the Ciaron Maher-trained mare unleashed her trademark turn of foot to run down last year’s winner Headwall, with Beadman flashing home into third.
The Chelmsford Stakes produced another reminder of just how tough and reliable Lindermann has become. After an underwhelming first-up run in the Winx Stakes, many were prepared to question whether the seven-year-old was reaching the end of his time at the top level. Instead, Nash Rawiller allowed him to roll forward, dictate proceedings and control the race from the front before kicking strongly in the straight to successfully defend his Chelmsford crown. Ceolwulf chased gamely into second while the evergreen Fangirl finished third in what may have been the final start of her outstanding career.
Lindermann’s return to form was significant because it re-establishes him as a genuine weight-for-age force heading deeper into the spring. His ability to absorb pressure and sustain a high cruising speed makes him a difficult horse to run down when allowed to build momentum, and Saturday’s performance suggested he remains capable of mixing it with the very best horses in the country. Ceolwulf’s strong late surge indicated bigger targets may still await this campaign.
Away from Australia, the most anticipated return of the weekend belonged to the world’s premier sprinter, Ka Ying Rising, who resumed in Hong Kong and did exactly what champions do. The phenomenal gelding extended his extraordinary winning sequence to 21 consecutive victories, capturing the HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup and continuing a streak that has elevated him into rare territory in world racing. With another Everest campaign firmly on the agenda, the performance served as a warning to every Australian sprinting stable with October in mind.
The biggest takeaway from the weekend was the strength of the sprint division heading into the heart of spring. My Gladiola delivered a long-awaited Group 1 breakthrough, Tempted returned in spectacular style and stamped herself as a major Everest contender, while Ka Ying Rising reminded the world why he remains the benchmark.