The father and son training duo of Anthony and Sam Freedman have strong prospects across the black-type board on Saturday and are spearheaded by Hanseatic (Street Boss {USA}), Prophet’s Thumb (I Am Invincible) and Artorius (Flying Artie) in Group 1 action.
Hanseatic and Prophet’s Thumb will take aim at the Neds Oakleigh Plate while Artorius will step out in the Neds Blue Diamond S., won two years ago by the Freedman-trained Lyre (Lonhro).
“It’s an exciting day for the stable, we’re going to need a bit of luck as you always do and hopefully we’ll be in the winner’s stall,” Racing Manager, Brad Taylor, said.
There will be plenty of interest in the resuming performance of last season’s Blue Diamond S. runner-up Hanseatic, who is making his first appearance since bleeding after finishing second in the G3 Blue Sapphire S. in the spring.
“He had a good break out at Northwood Park and returned in fantastic order. He will present well and you’ll certainly see a bigger and stronger horse,” Taylor said.
“He (Hanseatic) had a good break out at Northwood Park and returned in fantastic order.” – Brad Taylor
“His chances haven’t been helped by the barrier (18) and he’s going to need some real speed on to get in and get a nice run. It looks like they will go hard and if he can get in the three-wide train with a bit of cover and get out at the top of the straight and hopefully slingshot them.”
Prophet’s Thumb is a talented mare as she showed when successful last time out in the G2 Rubiton S. and her fifth career victory.
“She’s got a pretty good record at Caulfield over 1100 metres. She’s drawn out a bit (13), but if she can get cover early and then clear air there’s no reason why she can’t run really well,” Taylor said.
Prophet’s Thumb (check cap)
Artorius was a debut second and then romped home at Sandown and is expected to be suited by a wider barrier (10) in the Blue Diamond.
“He doesn’t bring the form lines as most of the others, but he was very dominant at Sandown and he’s had a wee freshen-up and a jump-out. He’s a colt that we like and has produced it on raceday and there’s no reason to think he’s not a genuine winning chance,” Taylor said.
“His work has been good and very happy with him. It’s an ideal barrier (10) for him, we didn’t want to draw down on the rail and get cluttered away. He’s probably a similar horse to Lyre and will need a good tempo and he will be one of the strongest late.”
Ready to resume
Chica Fuerte (Hinchinbrook) won the G3 Ethereal S. during her spring campaign and is in good order for her return in the G2 Neds Angus Armanasco S.
“She’s a nice filly and did well during a break. She’s had one jump-out and had a nice gallop at Flemington with Probabeel on Tuesday,” Taylor said.
“We’re very happy with her leading into the race and she will improve as she gets deeper into the preparation, but she will put herself on the speed and if they go slowly she might be hard to catch.”
Homesman (USA) (War Front {USA}) and Steel Prince (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}) will also be opening their autumn campaigns in the G2 Carlton Draught Peter Young S.
“Homesman is hard to get a line on, he’s not a great track worker. He’s a raceday horse and we can’t fault him,” Taylor said. “Steel Prince had a nice trial and he’ll be on the speed and is a horse that tries so hard and keeps fighting.”
“Steel Prince had a nice trial and he’ll be on the speed and is a horse that tries so hard and keeps fighting.” – Brad Taylor
Aussie Nugget (Ire) (Dansili {GB}) won over 1600 metres at Caulfield in his most recent appearance to indicate he can make his mark in stronger company.
“He doesn’t get in well at the weights (54kg), but he’s in really good order and continues to improve. It was good to get the win the other day and it’s a step-up in class, but his work has been very good and he continues to thrive,” Taylor said.
Lunakorn (Puissance De Lune {Ire}) will resume in the G3 Premier Signs Mannerism S. and while she is out of her grade, the stable has confidence in the 4-year-old who has won four of her 11 starts.
“This has been the plan for her and then a mile race at Flemington in a couple of weeks. She’s in good order and although she’s only a 78 rater and it wouldn’t surprise us at all to see her in the winner’s stall,” Taylor said.
