Multiple Group 1-placed sprinter My Gladiola is scheduled to make another run at Sandown on Tuesday as part of her preparation for the upcoming Moir Stakes (1000m) on Saturday. The four-year-old mare, trained by John McArdle, recently impressed when she defeated leading sprinter Giga Kick in an 800-metre trial at the same track last week.

Initially, McArdle had not planned to gallop My Gladiola again ahead of the Moir Stakes, but after evaluating her form, he decided to give her an additional hitout to maintain fitness. "She’s pretty lazy at home," McArdle explained. "For her to trial as well as she did, we were happy, but she did have a good blow. She’s still got another good gallop in her before the Moir."

My Gladiola, a mare by I Am Invincible, has twice finished runner-up at the highest level, narrowly beaten in both the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) and Lightning Stakes (1000m) by the new-season stallion Tentyris. Her 2025 campaign stalled after the Lightning Stakes, with a difficult run in the Newmarket Handicap (1200m) and an unfavorable heavy track in her third race. Despite these setbacks, she showed resilience in the Group 1 Sangster Stakes (1200m), finishing less than two lengths behind the winner despite encountering traffic problems.

Recently, My Gladiola has won two trials leading up to the Moir Stakes and appears to be in improved condition compared to previous runs. McArdle noted that her strong finishing in last Thursday’s trial was encouraging, particularly given the rain-affected surface, which usually does not suit her. "The part I was probably happiest with, it was a very rain-affected surface and she doesn’t handle it, so to be strong through the line was a good thing," he said.

The Moir Stakes field includes several notable contenders with the boom filly Natural Fling installed as the $3.50 favourite. Giga Kick, Cavalry Girl, My Gladiola, and Extragalactic are among the key challengers, with odds of $4.50, $6, $6, and $8 respectively.

Looking beyond the Moir, McArdle confirmed that My Gladiola’s campaign will focus on the Moir Stakes and the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m). His long-term objective remains to target European races, with plans to send the mare to the UK next year contingent on her performances this spring.