Super Seth had pleased Freedman with his lead-up work to Saturday’s G3 Neds Manfred S. and any concerns about him acting in the slow going were dispelled with a victory that has him on target for high honours.
The 3-year-old is bound for Waikato Stud, who secured a majority share in the entire last spring, and he will have ample opportunities to further lift his stallion profile before he ends up at the champion Matamata nursery.
Mark Zahra aboard Super Seth
Freedman admitted that he gave thought to withdrawing both Super Seth and stablemate Groundswell (Fastnet Rock) from the Manfred due to the track. In the former’s case it proved wise to give him his chance while the latter struggled and tailed the field home.
“I wasn’t happy about the rain and did think about not running them. We took the view though that they needed to keep them on track for later races,” he said.
“We took the view though that they needed to keep them on track for later races.” – Anthony Freedman
In his first appearance since inflicting an only defeat on the star Queenslander Alligator Blood (All Too Hard) in the G1 Caulfield Guineas, Super Seth was given an economical run in the trail by rider Mark Zahra.
The colt started to race a little keenly 700 metres from home, but settled again when the pace quickened and shouldered into the clear at the top of the straight.
The frontrunner Free Of Debt (Unencumbered) was clear 250 metres off the post, but Super Seth pinned his ears back and came with an undeniable finish to sail home by 1.25l.
“A lot of horses first-up would have given up at the furlong when the leader gave a kick, but he just took off. He knows where the finishing post is,” Zahra said.
“Obviously, with colts when they come back you never know what to expect, but he has come back bigger and better.”
“Obviously, with colts when they come back you never know what to expect, but he has come back bigger and better.” – Mark Zahra
Freedman was obviously relieved to see Super Seth excel in his first run back and confirm plans for the remainder of his Melbourne campaign.
“I wasn’t sure about the ground and the Dundeels can generally get through it so it does open up possibilities for Sydney if they get rain there,” he said.
“He will probably go to the CS Hayes S. in two weeks’ time and then the Australian Guineas. After the Guineas we will see what is in Sydney for him.”
Super Seth
Freedman believes Super Seth could perform to his best over more ground, but is taking an ‘if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it’ approach.
“There are so many nice races for him up to a mile that it’s not necessary to go any further,” he said.
Easter graduate
Bred by Arrowfield Stud and Planette Thoroughbreds, Super Seth was purchased at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale by Dean Hawthorne, bloodstock manager for Victoria owner and breeder Jonathan Munz.
A half-brother to the dual Listed winner Wild Kingdom (Animal Kingdom {USA}), Super Seth is out of Salutations (Redoute’s Choice) who is a daughter of the G2 Yallambee Classic winner Toast Of The Coast (Rory’s Jester).
Super Seth as a yearling
The second dam Solo Show (NZ) (Dahar {USA}) was successful in the G2 Herbert Power H. while the third dam Solo Performance (Without Fear {Fr}) won the G3 Merson Cooper S. and ran second in the G1 Blue Diamond S.
Free Of Debt gave a bold account of himself in his first appearance since he was injured in last year’s G1 Golden Slipper S. and Dalasan (Dalakhani {Ire}) came on for third ahead of Spend (Snitzel).
