Freedman ready to unleash Ninja warrior after impressive trial wins
The youngster is unbeaten in his two trials, the latest where he ran down subsequent winner Nazwah, but Freedman said he's not yet a well-oiled machine and will learn plenty in the TAB Plate (1100m).
'He's still very much learning about things and doing a few things wrong, but he's ready to go to the races and probably just needs to get going,' he said.
'He's obviously shown some raw ability. I think he's one of those horses that once he starts to put it all together can continue to improve.
'He just needs to learn to do things the right way, the only way we're going to do that is to get him off to the races and learn his craft a bit.'
What Ninja did show in his latest trial, despite being slowly away, was a handy turn of foot as he swept home from the back.
Freedman said he'd like to think the gelding, who cost $380,000 as a yearling, can put himself in a more prominent position from a soft barrier draw.
'Around the Kenso, if he can jump cleanly you wouldn't want to be dragging him back,″ he said.
'If he can make use of that lower draw you'd like to think he can put himself on speed somewhere.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
4 days ago
- News.com.au
Jockey Thomas Stockdale vows to be riding at 54kg during 2025 Melbourne Spring Carnival
Jockeys often make sacrifices to ply their trade and Thomas Stockdale's latest sacrifice could be at Caulfield on Saturday. Stockdale has won twice on the promising three-year-old Electric Tommy but won't be aboard the Anthony and Sam Freedman -trained sprinter in Saturday's Sportsbet Feed Handicap (1200m). Apprentice Logan Bates will ride the winner of three of four starts in the $150,000 race while Stockdale spends the day on the sidelines. Stockdale said missing Saturday's racing was the by-product of his plan to be at his lightest for the hectic spring period. 'I missed out on two or three rides on Saturday because they didn't get my weight, just because of the time of year it is,' Stockdale said. 'I've just come back from a holiday and I'm not crushing myself to ride too light. 'I just got back from my honeymoon so I'm just cruising at the moment, but once it comes around to springtime, I'll be getting down as light as possible.' Stockdale said spending too much time riding at his lightest weight was not ideal for his body so he only shaved the maximum possible weight for the richer spring and autumn periods. He will ride at 57kg at Bendigo on Sunday before shedding another 3kg over the next few weeks. 'I'm not one to bash myself before spring. I'm more of a taller and heavier bloke so I want to make sure I've got enough gas in the engine for the spring,' Stockdale said. 'Over the next month, I'll be getting my weight down to be riding 54(kg) in the spring.' Stockdale anticipated Bates would ask him for input on Electric Tommy's traits. Electric Tommy makes a mightily impressive debut for @FreedmanRacing âš¡ @jamieleemott — (@Racing) September 30, 2024 • He said would give a glowing report on the son of I Am Immortal's progress ahead of the gelding's first city appearance after riding Electric Tommy to wins at Moe and Geelong. 'His behaviour and maturity were a lot better at Geelong,' Stockdale said. 'I was expecting improvement from Moe, but on the heavy going, he seemed to grow a leg and extend further off what I thought he would improve on. 'He improved more mentally, which took him a long way and he thrived on the surface 'If we have a bit of rain around, he'll put up a good showing.' Electric Tommy has been , firming from $8 into $6.50.
The Age
15-07-2025
- The Age
Freedman ready to unleash Ninja warrior after impressive trial wins
He's not quite the sleek, stealthy, horse that his name would suggest just yet but trainer Michael Freedman says it's time to see what Ninja can do on the race track at Kensington on Wednesday. The youngster is unbeaten in his two trials, the latest where he ran down subsequent winner Nazwah, but Freedman said he's not yet a well-oiled machine and will learn plenty in the TAB Plate (1100m). 'He's still very much learning about things and doing a few things wrong, but he's ready to go to the races and probably just needs to get going,' he said. 'He's obviously shown some raw ability. I think he's one of those horses that once he starts to put it all together can continue to improve. 'He just needs to learn to do things the right way, the only way we're going to do that is to get him off to the races and learn his craft a bit.' What Ninja did show in his latest trial, despite being slowly away, was a handy turn of foot as he swept home from the back. Freedman said he'd like to think the gelding, who cost $380,000 as a yearling, can put himself in a more prominent position from a soft barrier draw. 'Around the Kenso, if he can jump cleanly you wouldn't want to be dragging him back,″ he said. 'If he can make use of that lower draw you'd like to think he can put himself on speed somewhere.'
Sydney Morning Herald
15-07-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Freedman ready to unleash Ninja warrior after impressive trial wins
He's not quite the sleek, stealthy, horse that his name would suggest just yet but trainer Michael Freedman says it's time to see what Ninja can do on the race track at Kensington on Wednesday. The youngster is unbeaten in his two trials, the latest where he ran down subsequent winner Nazwah, but Freedman said he's not yet a well-oiled machine and will learn plenty in the TAB Plate (1100m). 'He's still very much learning about things and doing a few things wrong, but he's ready to go to the races and probably just needs to get going,' he said. 'He's obviously shown some raw ability. I think he's one of those horses that once he starts to put it all together can continue to improve. 'He just needs to learn to do things the right way, the only way we're going to do that is to get him off to the races and learn his craft a bit.' What Ninja did show in his latest trial, despite being slowly away, was a handy turn of foot as he swept home from the back. Freedman said he'd like to think the gelding, who cost $380,000 as a yearling, can put himself in a more prominent position from a soft barrier draw. 'Around the Kenso, if he can jump cleanly you wouldn't want to be dragging him back,″ he said. 'If he can make use of that lower draw you'd like to think he can put himself on speed somewhere.'
