Kia Ora-bred dual Group 1 runner-up My Gladiola (I Am Invincible) is set to return to Sandown for a second jumpout on Tuesday ahead of a possible first-up tilt at Saturday’s Moir Stakes (Gr 1, 1000m), with trainer John McArdle eyeing an eventual Royal Ascot campaign. The four-year-old I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit) mare established herself among Australia’s leading young sprinters last season, finishing runner-up to Tentyris (Street Boss) in both the Coolmore Stud Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) and Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (Gr 1, 1000m).
Those performances earned the filly an invitation to Royal Ascot, which connections declined, but McArdle has indicated a trip to Britain is firmly on the agenda next year. My Gladiola impressed in a Sandown jumpout last week, defeating Everest winner Giga Kick (Scissor Kick) despite conditions being wetter than preferred. Should she take her place and perform, the Manikato Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) is among the options later in the spring, with Royal Ascot the long-term objective.
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