Weather a worry but My Gladiola set to run in Moir

Forecast rain for the Group 1 Moir Stakes on Saturday has trainer John McArdle concerned about his four-year-old mare My Gladiola’s ability to handle wet ground at Sandown.

But a rain-affected track is unlikely to stop McArdle running the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes placegetter from running first-up in the Moir, which this year is being run at Sandown while Moonee Valley is out of action because of its redevelopment.

“I’d be surprised if we weren’t in the field on Saturday, it’s just how effective are we going to be?” McArdle told SEN.

“I think she will run competitively if it’s a (Soft) 7, or better. If it gets worse than that … that’s when we’ll start having concerns, I think.”

My Gladiola, who is being touted as a possible Royal Ascot runner next year, has won two jump outs under jockey Jamie Mott in preparation for her return.

“She’s in good order. All of her data – her weight and everything like that – points to her being in a similar space as to what she was before the Lightning,” McArdle said.

“Jamie (Mott) is rapt with her. It’s just weather watch now. I know when we drew barrier six I was really happy, but we drifted four points in the market. I presume that people are thinking the weather.”

Up to 15mm of rain is predicted to fall at Sandown on Saturday.