Latest news with #MFreedmanRacing
News.com.au
03-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Aerodrome set for Queensland Winter Carnival campaign after Clarendon Stakes win at Hawkesbury
Trainer Michael Freedman has every reason to aim promising two-year-old Aerodrome at the Brisbane carnival after he maintained his perfect race record at Hawkesbury on Saturday. Aerodrome was burdened with 58.5kg topweight on the heavy track but showed his class taking out the $160,000 Clarendon Stakes (1400m). Freedman, a master trainer of two-year-olds, said Aerodrome will be aimed at Eagle Farm's two feature juvenile races, the Group 2 $1m BRC Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) on May 31 and the Group 1 $1m JJ Atkins (1600m) on June 14. 'I will see how he pulls up but all going well we will look at Brisbane now for Aerodrome,'' Freedman said. 'There's a month to the Sires' but he won't need to race again although if he needs it I might give him a barrier trial. 'Then we can look at the JJ Atkins as well because I don't think 1600m will be any issue. 'The best part about both of Aerodrome's wins have been his last 200m – he has been very strong through the line.'' ✈ï¸� Aerodrome flies to remain unbeaten and take the Clarendon Stakes at @hawkesburyrc! @MFreedmanRacing | @Reganbayliss â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 3, 2025 Aerodrome ($2.10) favourite, the topical tip at the Hawkesbury stand-alone given the close proximity of the Royal Australian Air Force base at Richmond, was the immediate chaser of leader Hereward ($41) through the race wearing his brave rival down to win by three-quarters of a length with a similar margin to Zebra Finch ($12). Jockey Regan Bayliss described Aerodrome as a 'beautiful horse who just keeps getting better and better'. 'He certainly knows where the winning post is,'' Bayliss said. 'I'm not sure the Heavy 8 was to his complete liking as he has such a nice action but, as he does, he found a way to win. 'I have no problem with him running a strong mile (1600m). I could hardly pull him up after the post. He has a bright future.'' The Clarendon Stakes is pushing for Group or Listed status with Aerodrome joining an honour roll that includes Group 1 winners Zardozi and Zoustar. Aerodrome continues Freedman's successful season with his two-year-old team highlighted by Marhoona's Golden Slipper triumph, giving the trainer his second win in the world's richest two-year-old race after Stay Inside won in 2021. A $190,000 Inglis Easter Sale graduate, Aerodrome is a son of first-season sire sensation, Ole Kirk, himself the winner of the 2020 Golden Rose-Caulfield Guineas Group 1 double. Ole Kirk, who stands at Vinery Stud, is represented by his first crop to race this season and already has 10 individual winners including four stakes winners of five stakes races for earnings of nearly $3 million to be leading first-season sire in all four categories. His fee for the upcoming breeding season has increased from $55,000 to $99,000 (inc. GST). Freedman took particular satisfaction winning for Aerodrome's ownership groups that includes Sean Dyson, who works in the mining industry, and is becoming a significant investor in the sport.
News.com.au
22-04-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Newcastle preview: Promising filly Empress Of Japan can capitalise on a confidence boosting win and go back-to-back
Jockey Keagan Latham was thrilled to see Empress Of Japan return to form with a booming victory last start and feels she can replicate it when she heads up the motorway to Newcastle. The Michael Freedman -trained filly had finished just behind the placegetters at Kembla at her first two runs back this campaign before dropping back to country grade at Goulburn and storming home from near last to beat Zipitilist over 1400m. 'We always thought a little bit of her, myself and Michael,' said Latham. 'She won her first start at Gosford and then she ran in the Percy Sykes at Randwick. 'Unfortunately, she was taken out with a bit of interference and I think it knocked her confidence a little bit in the prep thereafter. 'Even though it was only a small margin in the end, she had the best part of eight to ten lengths to make up at the top of the straight. 2YO Savabeel filly, Empress Of Japan (ex Tsukioka) brings up a four-timer for her sire, winning on debut for @MFreedmanRacing at @gosford_races 🙌 She was a $150k @inglis_sales Easter buy for her trainer, @GandharviRacing and @mickwallace from her breeders, @littleavondale.… â€' Waikato Stud (@WaikatoStud) March 16, 2024 The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. 'She travelled well but when I pushed the button, she really let down with a terrific turn of foot.' Empress Of Japan can potentially earn herself a shot at a black type race over the winter with a win in the Benchmark 68 Handicap (1500m) where she had barrier 2. 'The key is she likes to be ridden with a bit of cuddle to allow her to come with one strong run,' Latham said. 'While she has a good draw this week, I don't think she will be any closer than midfield and have one last shot at them. 'The long straight at Newcastle allows her to do that.' Latham and Freedman also combine with lightly-raved gelding Gone To Cape York in the Class 1 Handicap (1250m). The three-year-old scored on debut at Nowra under Latham before a three length seventh at Wyong last start when ridden by Zac Lloyd. 'It was a good effort to win on debut because he's not really an 1100m horse and he took the length of the straight to get his head in front,' said Latham. 'At Wyong, he didn't have much room in the straight. He was just among horses and could get a real crack. 'From the draw, he should get plenty of room and the length of the straight at Newcastle is going to be his best advantage.' Impunity starts our day off with a strong win to break his maiden at Newcastle today under a fantastic ride from Aaron Bullock ðŸ�‡ Congratulations to our owners and our fantastic team at home 🥂ðŸ'� â€' John P Thompson (@JTRacingRwik) April 13, 2024 Latham rode the John Sargent -trained Khant Fail to back-to-back placings at Newcastle and Wyong last preparation and is looking forward to renewing their association in the Maiden Plate (1850m). The four-year-old daughter of New Zealand and Australian Derbies and Caulfield Cup winner Mongolian Khan has been good in finishing third in both runs this time in over 1500m an 1600m and will appreciate the step up in trip. 'She gave me a nice feel last prep but she was a big baby. She is a tall animal and definitely needed to grow into herself,' he said. 'She's had two this time in over short distances and I thought she has run pretty well. 'She ran well at Newcastle last prep and steps up to a more suitable trip this week. 'John is very good with staying fillies and from barrier 1, we will have her a close as she is comfortable and I think she can run quite a sneaky race.' Latham also has two rides to local trainer Paul Perry on Passalacqua in the Maiden Plate (1250m) and debutant Seven Wonders in the 2YO Maiden Plate (900m). 'I think Passalacqua has matured a lot more this prep and he can run a sneaky race,' he said. 'I haven't ridden Seven Wonders but you can never under estimate Paul Perry's horses, especially at home.' â– â– â– â– â– Trainer Kerry Parker was pleased with the way Equilibrist reacted with the blinkers on or the first time at his most recent start and feels he can back it up with another big run. The four-year-old was only fair in beating two home when resuming at Kembla last month which prompted Parker to make the gear change. Equilibrist went back from a wide gate to settle near last before coming inside runners on the bend and squeezing through a gap late to finish a length third behind Eclair Awesome over 1600m at Gosford on April 10. The four-year-old looks suited stepping up in trip in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1850m) with Jason Collett aboard. 'His first-up run was just a pass mark. He seemed to be floating a bit too so I decided to put the blinkers on to help him focus a bit more,' said Parker. 'He raced really well with the blinkers on. He raced between horses and hit the line well showing a bit of determination. Eclair Awesome goes back-to-back with @ZacLloydx in the saddle for @mcsmithracing! ðŸ'¥ â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 10, 2025 'I was really proud of his run. 'If he can reproduce his Gosford run over the 1850m, you would like to think he will put himself in the finish again.' A little rain in Newcastle will also be a positive for the son of Trapeze Artist. The gelding won his maiden on a Heavy 8 at Kembla last October and it was a Soft 6 at Gosford last start. 'I think getting his toe in the ground is beneficial to him,' Parker said. Joining Equilibrist on the trip from Kembla is four-year-old mare Audenzia who contests the Maiden Plate (1850m). The daughter of Brazen Beau kicked off her preparation with a nice second behind Montigo Bay over 1500m on her home track on February 25 before a fourth to Queen Strada over the same track and distance 17 days later. She then three weeks between runs when seventh behind Empuse over 1500m at Hawkesbury on April 5. 'She is looking for the longer trip now,' said Parker. 'Her last start at Hawkesbury, she was just at her top the whole way and couldn't get into that really nice rhythm. 'She is a little bit one-paced and the 1850m looks to be up her alley. 'If she can get herself in a handy position up on speed, she will keep grinding away.'
South China Morning Post
03-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Zac Purton set a task from wide draw on Moira in bid for fourth Doncaster Mile win
Zac Purton will have to weave his magic to lift Canadian import Moira to victory in Saturday's Group One Doncaster Mile as another two Hong Kong-based jockeys also chase elite-level success at Randwick. A three-time winner of the handicap worth about HK$19 million in prize money, Purton has been set a task after Moira drew barrier 21 for her Australian debut for trainer Chris Waller. The last-start Group One Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (2,200m) winner will come into gate 18 if the reserves don't gain starts. Moira, a winner at seven of 17 starts, was bought by Yulong Investments for US$4.3 million (HK$33.5 million) at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale in America after her Breeders' Cup success. 'Obviously, she won the Filly & Mare there at the Breeders' Cup in good fashion,' said Purton, who has won the Doncaster on the Waller-trained Sacred Falls (2014), It's Somewhat (2017) and Mr Brightside (2023). 'She can definitely run a strong mile. She's never been right-handed before, so that's definitely a bit of a question mark and Chris hasn't had her for too long. 'It's a strong race. Being a handicap, there are going to be a lot of chances in the race but she's an exciting mare to get on and I just hope that she can bring her best on the day so that the people of Canada – she was Horse of the Year there – [have] something to cheer for and also the people of America as well.' Purton isn't the only Hong Kong rider chasing Doncaster success, with Andrea Atzeni taking up the opportunity to ride Al Mubhir for British trainer William Haggas. Al Mubhir has won four races, including the Listed Gala Stakes (2,011m) at Sandown Park last year, from 24 starts. 'William approached me a while ago and said Al Mubhir was going to run in the Doncaster Mile,' Atzeni said. 'He asked me if I was happy to go and ride him and obviously, I said 'yes'. I actually rode him in the Lincoln [Handicap at Doncaster racecourse] a few years ago and he was favourite for the race. It looks like an open race and with a light weight, he should be competitive.' Karis Teetan was set to join Purton and Atzeni in the Doncaster, but his mount Rise At Dawn was relegated to first reserve when the final field was released earlier this week. What a win by Marhoona in the G1 TAB Golden Slipper, proving dreams can come true! She wins for @MFreedmanRacing and @LaneDamian! 👏@EmiratesPark | @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 22, 2025 While Moira and Al Mubhir are double-figure chances in an open race, Hugh Bowman shapes as the Hong Kong rider best placed to achieve Group One glory at Randwick when he rides Rivellino in the Inglis Sires' (1,400m). Bowman is adamant the Kris Lees-trained colt should have finished much closer than fourth when he was held up at crucial stages in the straight in the Group One Golden Slipper (1,200m) last start. 'I was really taken by him in the Golden Slipper,' Bowman said. 'He's a pretty good horse. Hopefully he can get away a bit better than he did – he jumped a little bit slow but he just didn't get into stride at all.' Rivellino is the $4.20 second favourite in fixed-odds markets. Bowman will also ride long-shot Red Aces in the Group One ATC Australian Derby (2,400m).
