Latest news with #Pallaton
New Paper
a day ago
- Sport
- New Paper
Pallaton to bloom further in the Rosebud
With the rainy weather in Sydney not letting up, the Rosebud meeting will still take place on a heavy track at Rosehill on Aug 16. Nonetheless, plenty of hot action is to be expected across the eight races (starting at 10.10am Singapore time) picked up by the Singapore Pools for wagering. The A$200,000 (S$167,000) Listed Rosebud is a three-year-old feature over 1,100m that kicks off the Spring campaign, and has garnered a small but select field of six youngsters following the scratching of Shaggy. On face value, Pallaton may have put a dampener on his cracking Randwick debut last December and all the hype as ex-Kranji trainer Michael Freedman's best two-year-old last season, with two subsequent unplaced starts. As a result, his Golden Slipper plans were scuppered, even if Freedman still ended up winning the Australian premier sprint for two-year-olds with Marhoona. Jockey Tommy Berry is convinced the deflating runs did not do the Wootton Bassett colt justice. "He took all before him at his first start, then had a little break and was a bit big going into the second run and you saw that late," said the jockey, who won the 2013 Singapore Gold Cup aboard Tropaios for Freedman. "His third run, he'd had a bit of a setback and he had a horse either side of him in the run, got his mouth open and wanted to charge a little bit. "He was his own worst enemy towards the end of his prep but it was a long prep for him as well. "Coming into this preparation, we've put a crossover noseband on him which he seems to have adapted to very quickly. He has put two really nice trials together, so we're pretty confident going into the weekend." The wet does not daunt Berry either as Wootton Bassett's are known to thrive on such surfaces. The top Sydney jockey, who finished a distant eighth to perennial champion James McDonald last season, has sprung off the starting blocks this term. On three wins in only three metropolitan meetings, he is just one win behind early leader McDonald and can bank on not just pre-race (3-2) favourite Pallaton to pad up his score. Tuileries (5-2) and Our Gold Hope (8-1) are among his other decent chances from his six other bookings, the latter a value hope in the A$200,000 Captivant @ Kia Ora Handicap (1,400m). The Robert and Luke Price-trained Lope De Vega mare's narrow third to Ceolwulfin the Group 2 Neville Sellwood Stakes (2,000m) sticks out as the best formline. She will, however, have to be wary of Palmetto (5-1) who is first-up for ex-Kuala Lumpur-based Kiwi trainer John Sargent (Malaysia champion trainer in 2000). Palmetto had a mixed Autumn campaign that yielded a Listed Canberra Cup (2,000m) success and midfield finishes in Sydney. Though the son of Ghibellines is seven, Sargent believes he is a late bloomer, but needs to run well on Aug 16 first before taking the path he has plotted for him towards more serious targets like the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1,600m) at Randwick on Sept 6 and the Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1,600m) at Moonee Valley on Sept 26. "He has finally matured, being a New Zealand-bred horse and being slow-maturing," said Sargent. "His trials have been super and I'd expect him to run well on Saturday." However, the 14-5 favourite War Eternal may be the horse they all have to gun down. The Bjorn Baker-trained four-time winner looked in a spot of bother in a small four-horse field in a Benchmark 94 (1,300m) on a heavy track at Rosehill on Aug 2, but rallied late to keep eventual winner The Novelist honest to the line. It is an open race but the Pierro seven-year-old can score in the expert hands of Jason Collett. manyan@
The Age
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Age
Race-by-race preview and tips for Saturday's meeting at Rosehill
Bit of a D-Day for 5. Pallaton in some respects. He was brilliant winning on debut in December, but disappointed when he reappeared in the Pierro Plate. Failed again in the Todman and the prep was halted. If there were issues, on the evidence of his two trials, they've been rectified, as he's looked quite good winning both comfortably. Barrier one in the small field can be dicey sometimes, but if the same horse that won on debut turns up, he'll take beating. 1. Skyhook was a revelation in his first campaign, which took him all the way to the Golden Slipper where he started a $7.50 chance. Possibly at the end of his prep having backed up after winning the Pago Pago on a hot day a week earlier. Trialling well and is a logical threat. 2. Blitzburg has had two trials for his return since winning the Canonbury on February 1. Pushed out a little to win the latest. Has had a bone chip removed since his last race. Must be included in the chances. 4. Nashville Jack has race fitness on those colts from his handy win at Randwick three weeks ago. Potentially a different set up for him one barrier from the outside, but difficult to fault. How to play it: Pallaton to win. Race 6 – 2.30PM ROSEHILL BOWLING CLUB HANDICAP (1900 METRES) 2. Travolta has shown in his three runs back this time in that he's very comfortable on rain-affected ground, and he strikes suitable conditions again on the back of an easy win at 1800m three weeks ago. Won first up on a heavy 9, and while beaten in between, it was in an on-pace dominated race on a soft 5. Conditions suit him, down slightly in weight after the claim and should be a major player. 14. Amusing enjoyed a nice run and dashed away on a heavy 10 two weeks ago, beating a subsequent midweek winner. She's found her groove now with back-to-back wins, and if she can run out the extra distance, she will be somewhere in the finish. 20. So You Are is worth including if he gains a run despite coming out of Highway grade. He was runner-up over 1800m at Randwick second up in what was an excellent performance from near the tail. Lightly raced and an each-way hope. 7. Nana's Wish is racing consistently and is adept on rain-affected ground. Boxed on OK when placed at Randwick on the back of two midweek wins. Drawn well and is in the mix. 17. Kapakiri is another with some claims at value on the back of a handy first-up run over an unsuitable trip. How to play it: Travolta to win. Race 7 – 3.05PM CAPTIVANT @ KIA ORA HANDICAP (1400 METRES) 7. War Eternal looks ideally placed to strike third up on another wet track after he was a touch unlucky in a small field two weeks ago. Looked to be travelling well to the turn, then may have struck a bad patch as he suddenly came under pressure. Picked himself up, and after some ducking and weaving, was closing fast at the end of 1300m. A wet track, but not as deep, suits him, the trip suits him, and he's on the limit. Huge chance for him. 6. Our Gold Hope had a mixed preparation last time in, but did place in the Neville Sellwood on a heavy track behind Ceolwulf on April 1. Plenty to like about the way she's trialling, the trip suits her fresh, and it would be no surprise if she regained some winning form. 4. Birdman is an interesting runner, which looks to have trialled strongly for his first-up run since the Sydney Cup. On the face of it, the 1400m should be short of his best, so wary about getting carried away with his trial, as he hasn't won in Australia, nor below 2414m. Expect him to be closing strongly, and if he gets over the top of these, then he's in for a big prep. 3. Palmetto is often underestimated and is more than capable of showing up fresh. He's trialling well winning both heats, and he has been known to steal a race when nobody's looking. How to play it: War Eternal to win. Race 8 – 3.45PM PRECISE AIR HANDICAP (1400 METRES) There might be some each-way value in 4. Fully Lit, particularly if he's able to find the front from an inside gate, with really only Puntin likely to provide some opposition for that spot. He just wasn't comfortable in the ground two weeks ago on a heavy 10 with rain falling during the race, so happy to forgive. He's not going badly, and his chances are enhanced if the track continues to improve. 10. Captain Furai loomed to win that race when resuming, but was outpointed by Elson Boy, which is a genuine heavy 10 horse and loves it. He'll be fitter and should be right in the finish. 5. Puntin did not have the best of luck two runs back, then not sure whether it was the 1800m or not being in the right part of the track, or both, that resulted in him weakening to finish fourth at Randwick three weeks back. Did win at this track and over this trip second up, and is entitled to another chance. 1. Yoshinobu is a real head scratcher. You have to conclude he hated the heavy in the race won by The Novelist, as he was beaten 14 lengths as a $1.70 favourite. Won well on a soft 5 first up, so the better the track the better his hopes. How to play it: Fully Lit each way. Race 9 – 4.20PM TAB HANDICAP (1100 METRES) 7. Polyglot will need a few things to fall his way from a tricky gate, but there's every chance they could, given the amount of speed, on paper at least, engaged in this race. He was a winner first up last time in at this track and distance on a soft 7, and looked good doing it. First run for new stable and trialled up nicely under J-Mac a couple of weeks ago. Hard to beat if he gets the breaks. 11. Useapin sprinted nicely to win two starts back against the mares, then again ran on OK but not as happy in the heavy 10 behind Stardeel last time. She'll be aided by some good speed, and while back 100m, she could be hard to hold out. 14. Theblade returns as a gelding and has started $3 or less in all three starts, so there have been some raps on him. Easy debut winner on a soft 7, then nowhere near as effective in two subsequent starts on soft and good ground. He did look quite good in an easy trial win and this is a big race for him. 8. Regimental Colours was strong at the finish when winning at this trip at Randwick last time to make it three wins from four starts this prep. Sure to be around the mark again. 1. Bonita Queen will be difficult to beat if she can find the front, and scratchings could be key to that happening. How to play it: Polyglot to win. Loading Race 10 – 4.55PM PETALUMA HANDICAP (1200 METRES) 15. Gatsby's won the Rosebud at this meeting last year and hasn't won since. But he's now a gelding and there's plenty in his favour to suggest he can recapture something like his best right down at the bottom of the weights. He likes the sting out of the track and he has trialled really well on two occasions. This is the right scenario for him to have his chance. 12. Perfumist came a long way last preparation, starting off with defeat in a Bathurst BM58 and ending it with a string of city wins and a trip to New Zealand for a game fifth in their rich $3 million The Kiwi. She was let run in her latest trial, hence the big margin. The 1200m would be at the bottom of her powers, but hard to ignore her. 10. Bunker Hut has not raced since he was brave off a wide run when resuming about six weeks ago running fourth behind Cloudland. He's been scratched a couple of times and had a tick-over trial last week. Drawn well, and if the inside is holding up, he's right in it. 1. Romeo's Choice is difficult to leave out of the chances given he beat open company in the July Sprint second up. Handles all conditions, and while back up in weight, he's a winning chance again. How to play it: Gatsby's to win.
The Australian
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Australian
2025 The Rosebud: Michael Freedman to saddle up Pallaton
Exciting colt Pallaton could thrust himself straight into the Group 1 frame with a statement performance in Saturday's Listed $200,000 The Rosebud (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens. Trainer Michael Freedman is ready to set the bar high with his smart son of Wootton Bassett but will first need to see him back to his best in the first Sydney stakes race of the season. Pallaton was restricted to just three starts during his juvenile season but showed more than enough to suggest he is a colt with plenty of talent. The lightly-raced three-year-old was a dominant winner on debut at Royal Randwick last December in a performance that put him high in contention for the Golden Slipper. But Pallaton never made Australia's coveted two-year-old showpiece after falling flat in two autumn runs. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Freedman is confident he's put the issue behind him as he prepares to unleash the colt in the spring. 'He had his Golden Slipper curtailed when he got a bit of a throat infection after his second run and when he got to the third run he was over the top and overraced badly, showing signs of a two-year-old that wasn't ready to go on with it,' Freedman said. 'He had a nice long break and a nice steady build up. 'The two trials I've been happy so hopefully we can see him show a bit of what we saw on his first start.' • Rosehill Turf Talk: Cohen keen on $5 best bet as O'Cass spruiks $17 pop Odds makers have installed Pallaton as a $2.40 favourite in his return with Tommy Berry booked to ride. A Group 1 date could follow his first-up assignment with Group 1 $750,000 Moir Stakes (1000m) at The Valley on September 6 a potential target. 'I want to see what unfolds on Saturday and work it out from there but I wouldn't rule out the possibility of a Moir if he shaped that way because he is quite a powerfully built sprinting type,' Freedman said. 'I think Saturday will give us a better indication of what path we want to go down with him. 'I am certainly not ruling out the Golden Rose as a possibility and am just keeping a lot of options open for him at the moment.' • Shayne O'Cass's race-by-race tips and analysis for Rosehill Garfdens on Saturday Freedman could already have a three-year-old winner on the program by the time Pallaton goes around with promising stablemate Ninja ($1.95 favourite) set to come to town for the Asahi Super Dry Benchmark 72 Handicap (1300m). Ninja broke his maiden in the most memorable performance, scoring eye-catching style with an 11-1/4 length romp at Kembla Grange. Freedman is wary of overplaying the victory but believes Ninja is a nice horse in the making. 'It was a four horse field on a bog track so I don't think the margin is that significant,' he said. 'He is a nice progressive type and will definitely handle the conditions. 'It is a big jump from a maiden to a Saturday in town but he is still a work in progress. 'I think he is mentally immature at the moment but heading the right way.' Trainer Michael Freedman (right) with jockey Tommy Berry. Picture: Jeremy Ng / Getty Images • O'Brien eyes Sydney spring riches as international raid swells Freedman believes Ninja will be suited stepping out in trip and said he will weigh up giving the gelding his chance in the Group 3 $250,000 Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens on September 13 if he runs well again. Polyglot is another exciting galloper that could be himself in the frame for better races in the spring when he returns in the TAB Benchmark 78 Handicap (1100m). It will be Freedman's second Godolphin runner following the success of Ohope at Hawkesbury during the week. Polyglot, a $5 favourite, had trialled up well in the lead up but James McDonald has been set a task with a tricky draw from barrier 12. • Flindell opens up on missile terror and 'worst nightmare' 'I am really happy with Polyglot,' Freedman said. 'He had two nice trials and is obviously familiar with the course and distance but the big concern will be the barrier in terms of where he might get to from the draw. 'I will have a chat to James and see where we think we can get to but he's in good order, just would have liked a softer draw.' Bunker Hut ($8) could complete a big day for Freedman when the gelding lines up in the Petaluma Benchmark 94 Handicap (1200m).
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Victory in 2025 The Rosebud could usher in Group 1 targets for Michael Freedman-trained Pallaton
Exciting colt Pallaton could thrust himself straight into the Group 1 frame with a statement performance in Saturday's Listed $200,000 The Rosebud (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens. Trainer Michael Freedman is ready to set the bar high with his smart son of Wootton Bassett but will first need to see him back to his best in the first Sydney stakes race of the season. Pallaton was restricted to just three starts during his juvenile season but showed more than enough to suggest he is a colt with plenty of talent. The lightly-raced three-year-old was a dominant winner on debut at Royal Randwick last December in a performance that put him high in contention for the Golden Slipper. But Pallaton never made Australia's coveted two-year-old showpiece after falling flat in two autumn runs. Freedman is confident he's put the issue behind him as he prepares to unleash the colt in the spring. 'He had his Golden Slipper curtailed when he got a bit of a throat infection after his second run and when he got to the third run he was over the top and overraced badly, showing signs of a two-year-old that wasn't ready to go on with it,' Freedman said. 'He had a nice long break and a nice steady build up. 'The two trials I've been happy so hopefully we can see him show a bit of what we saw on his first start.' That's a BIG win to Pallaton at Randwick! 🙌 @MFreedmanRacing | @TommyBerry21 | @aus_turf_club | @CoolmoreAus — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 21, 2024 • Rosehill Turf Talk: Cohen keen on $5 best bet as O'Cass spruiks $17 pop Odds makers have installed Pallaton as a $2.40 favourite in his return with Tommy Berry booked to ride. A Group 1 date could follow his first-up assignment with Group 1 $750,000 Moir Stakes (1000m) at The Valley on September 6 a potential target. 'I want to see what unfolds on Saturday and work it out from there but I wouldn't rule out the possibility of a Moir if he shaped that way because he is quite a powerfully built sprinting type,' Freedman said. 'I think Saturday will give us a better indication of what path we want to go down with him. 'I am certainly not ruling out the Golden Rose as a possibility and am just keeping a lot of options open for him at the moment.' 2 trials, 2 wins into spring for Pallaton (3c Wootton Bassett x Anevay) Had an air of potential topliner about him during the 2YO season. We're about to find out! @MFreedmanRacing @CoolmoreAus — Breednet (@BreednetNews) August 7, 2025 Freedman could already have a three-year-old winner on the program by the time Pallaton goes around with promising stablemate Ninja ($1.95 favourite) set to come to town for the Asahi Super Dry Benchmark 72 Handicap (1300m). Ninja broke his maiden in the most memorable performance, scoring eye-catching style with an 11-1/4 length romp at Kembla Grange. Freedman is wary of overplaying the victory but believes Ninja is a nice horse in the making. 'It was a four horse field on a bog track so I don't think the margin is that significant,' he said. 'He is a nice progressive type and will definitely handle the conditions. 'It is a big jump from a maiden to a Saturday in town but he is still a work in progress. 'I think he is mentally immature at the moment but heading the right way.' Freedman believes Ninja will be suited stepping out in trip and said he will weigh up giving the gelding his chance in the Group 3 $250,000 Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens on September 13 if he runs well again. Polyglot is another exciting galloper that could be himself in the frame for better races in the spring when he returns in the TAB Benchmark 78 Handicap (1100m). It will be Freedman's second Godolphin runner following the success of Ohope at Hawkesbury during the week. Polyglot, a $5 favourite, had trialled up well in the lead up but James McDonald has been set a task with a tricky draw from barrier 12. Victory ✌ï¸� Victoire 🇫🇷 Victoria 🇰🇸 Polyglot is too good for them at Rosehill and that's an early double for @mcacajamez! @JamesCummings88 | @godolphin | @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 18, 2025 • 'I am really happy with Polyglot,' Freedman said. 'He had two nice trials and is obviously familiar with the course and distance but the big concern will be the barrier in terms of where he might get to from the draw. 'I will have a chat to James and see where we think we can get to but he's in good order, just would have liked a softer draw.'
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Freedman's fingers crossed for better luck with Pallaton
Michael Freedman knows all too well how quickly things can go wrong, and right, with young horses. Last season the Randwick trainer claimed the pinnacle of two-year-old racing, the Golden Slipper (1200m), with Marhoona, which snuck into the $5 million race for just her third start after recovering from a hoof injury sustained in her victory on debut at Canterbury. Pallaton made an even bigger impression on debut for Freedman, winning by almost three lengths at Randwick in Saturday company to mark himself as a Slipper contender, before his campaign ended with two unplaced runs. The Wootton Bassett colt is back on Saturday in the listed Rosebud (1100m) at Rosehill and Freedman hopes two winning trials are a sign Pallaton is ready to fire again. 'He had a couple of little setbacks with a throat infection, and he cut his head on a walker before his last run, so there were a few things that went against him, and with two-year-olds, you don't need much to go amiss to fall away,' Freedman said. 'We just tipped him out, gave him a nice, long break and I think he's really developed in that time off and seems to have come back in reasonably good order. 'It's just nice to see him come back and go well at trial level, but you are never quite sure until they get to the races and see how they go.' The season's opening NSW feature for three-year-olds, which is down to just six runners, looks set to be held on a heavy track, or close to it. Rosehill was in the heavy range with showers about on Thursday. Pallaton handled heavy going in his most recent trial at Randwick, but Freedman hopes for an improving surface.
