Mott: My Gladiola will have "every opportunity" to take out Sangster

My Gladiola is currently a $13 roughie with Sportsbet in the Group 1 Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on Saturday.

The filly by I Am Invincible will be ridden by his regular jockey Jamie Mott, and the hoop is adamant that the grey has not regressed heading into his fourth-up run.

“On Tuesday morning I galloped her and I trialled her the week previously; both bits of work were as good as she does,” Mott told SENTrack & RSN’s Giddy Up.

“She hasn't changed at all, she's pretty deep into her prep now, I can't fault her.

“I can't say she's improved, but she hasn't disimproved either, she's exactly how she was going into the first-up, second-up and third-up run.”

Having lost four Group 1s in her 11-start career, Mott is hopeful that this is the race where the three-year-old sprinter can add a Group 1 to her resume.

Part of the reason why the hoop is confident is due to the barrier.

My Gladiola has drawn barrier 8 in the million-dollar race on Saturday – a gate which Mott is ecstatic with.

“Yeah, I'm really happy with the draw,” Mott exclaimed.

“I obviously didn't want to draw too low or too wide.

“It’s a big field which normally generates quite a bit of speed, so hopefully the speed is on.

“I'd love to be just around midfield, just off the speed somewhere. That'll give her every opportunity to hopefully get a Group 1 with her.”

In the grey’s last start in the VRC Sprint Classic (1100m), she ran fourth despite being the $2.30 favourite.

But that disappointing sprint was attributed to the heavy track conditions by many pundits, including Mott himself.

This time around, the heavy track won’t be an issue for the filly, as the South Australian racecourse is shaping up to be firm – a track type which suits the John McArdle-trained grey perfectly.

“I'm hoping it was just the wet track last start, which I'm pretty sure it was that held her back,” the jockey admitted.

“Looking at the dry week, the firmer the better for her, so the track's going to be playing to her advantage.

“Hopefully from that draw she gets a nice, economical run and if she turns up at her best she can definitely win the race.

“It’s a good field on Saturday, she’ll have to be at her best, but I’m confident that she’s a good horse and she’ll bounce back.”

Generosity is currently the $4.80 favourite to take out the Sangster, while Point Barrow ($5), Charm Stone ($7), Bridal Waltz ($7), Skybird ($7.50) and Benedetta ($11) are ahead of My Gladiola in the market.

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