Wet Sandown no concern for Mrs Gardenia

The class of lightly raced Mrs Gardenia has shone through as she ploughed through the wet conditions to record a stylish win at Sandown.

Coming off a Group Three second placing at her last start, Mrs Gardenia appreciated the class drop when successful in the Clanbrooke Racing Handicap on Saturday.

Ridden by apprentice Ethan Brown, the $2.25 favourite scored by 1-1/4 lengths ahead of Heavenly Descent ($7.50), with Fudged ($6) the same margin further back.

Jarrod McLean, in charge of the Warrnambool stable for trainer Darren Weir, says the mare has had a great preparation that will hopefully continue.

“She’s a lovely big mare and it would have been a great result for the owner if she could have won the Group Three race last start,” McLean said.

“I’m not sure what Darren’s got planned for her but there’s some stakes races coming up over Christmas, something like the Lord Stakes at Caulfield, that might give her that chance at a black-type win.

“There’s none better at placing his horses than Darren Weir so we’ll leave it up to him.”

The win for Brown was his 20th metropolitan winner, which reduces his claim to 2kg in the city.