Father and son team up
Richard and William Freedman are set to become the latest father-son duo when they officially enter a training partnership on Monday, April 1.
William, who has trained 31 winners since beginning on his own in 2020, will relocate from Scone to Rosehill while Richard, who currently trains in partnership with brother Michael, will look to conclude their alliance in style when they saddle up G1 Doncaster H. favourite Forbidden Love (All Too Hard) on Saturday.
Fire burning bright
Gary Portelli is bullish about Fireburn’s (Rebel Dane) chances in Saturday’s G1 Inglis Sires’ Produce S. at Randwick.
The Warwick Farm-based trainer said the Laurel Oak Bloodstock-owned filly has bounced through her G1 Golden Slipper S. romp and is all but certain to back up into the G1 Champagne S. in pursuit of becoming only the second filly to claim the Triple Crown.
Fireburn | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
"She's that well she's dangerous to herself. I don't know how they can (beat her),” Portelli told RSN.
"And from what I'm seeing from her there's no doubt she will be in the Champagne S. She's a machine."
Lighthouse remains a raceday decision
Racing NSW stewards will wait until raceday morning before deciding on whether Lighthouse (USA) (Mizzen Mast {USA}) can take her place in Saturday’s G1 Doncaster H.
The LNJ Foxwoods-owned mare, who was reported to have a ‘mild pulse’ present in her near-fore foot on Thursday by the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace camp, was showing the same signs on Friday morning when inspected by Racing NSW Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Toby Koenig.
Cummings draws Duais comparison
Edward Cummings believes G3 Adrian Knox S. contender I’m Divine (Roman Emperor {NZ}) has more pace than older stablemate Duais (Shamus Award), who took out last year’s edition of the Randwick feature before backing up to finish second in the G1 Australian Oaks.
The lightly raced 3-year-old will relish the extra 400 metres on offer when she contests the competitive fillies' feature after beating all bar one runner home in 1600 metre BM75 at Canberra on March 14.
Edward Cummings | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
"She's drawn well (barrier two) and she's got talent. She's unreliable in that her racing manners haven't yet been ironed out but if she can hit the line like she did in a trial last Friday, she's going to go well,” Cummings told Racing.com.
"She's got all the favours with the draw and the speed set up for that race. She's also had a good prep for 2000 metres fourth-up."
Tivaci brings up 13th Australian winner
Second-season Waikato Stud stallion Tivaci brought up his 13th Australian winner for the season by the way of Police’s (NZ) breakthrough victory at Rockhampton on Friday.
Tivaci | Standing at Waikato Stud
The Ricky Vale-trained gelding, who was previously in the care of Richard and Michael Freedman, finished 1.5l the better of Miss Piper (Starspangledbanner) with a narrow gap back to Liverpool Girl (Sooboog) in third.
Rawiller to time it right
Joe Pride has complete faith in Nash Rawiller’s ability to time Eduardo’s (Host {Chi}) run in Saturday’s G1 TJ Smith S. at Randwick.
The Warwick Farm-based trainer said the leading hoop will need to strike a ‘delicate balance’ to ensure that his stable star runs out a strong 1200 metres on a bottomless Randwick track.
“It’s a delicate balance for Nash. He’s got to use enough speed to beat Nature Strip but then leave something in reserve for any swoopers. For Masked Crusader or Shelby (Sixtysix) or whoever it is,” Pride told Racing NSW.
Hasn't Forgot it
Natalie Young is convinced Forgot You (NZ) has the class to take out the G1 Australian Derby at Randwick if he can relax in the early stages of Saturday’s time-honoured mile-and-a-half feature.
Young, who trains the Group 2-winning colt in partnership with Trent Busuttin, said the son of Champion Waikato Stud stallion Savabeel has come through a distant third-placing behind Anamoe (Street Boss {USA}) in the G1 Rosehill Guineas in good order and worked superbly on Tuesday morning.
Forgot You (NZ) | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
“He worked up very good on Tuesday, one of Bjorn (Baker’s) top track riders came in and said he showed a really brilliant turn of foot and I think we lacked that the last couple of runs,” Young told RSN.
“I think we’ve got that back now, whether we will see that on Heavy 10 conditions we’ll see, but he’s going to need it if he’s going to be finishing over the top of them from that sticky gate (barrier 13).”
Regal puts Redcraze in the spotlight
As well as giving his retiring co-trainer Murray Baker a shot at an astonishing sixth and final win in the G1 Australian Derby at Randwick on Saturday, rapid improver Regal Lion (NZ) (Jakkalberry {Ire}) is shining the spotlight on an emerging family run New Zealand breeding and syndicating operation Redcraze Racing.
An eye-catching placegetter in the G1 New Zealand Derby and G2 Tulloch S. in his last two starts, the OTI Racing-owned gelding was bred by Barbara and Carl McComb in partnership with several members of Barbara’s family, headed by her father, experienced pedigree expert Les Pratt.
“It’s hugely exciting and very nerve-racking as well, but we can’t wait. It’s the first time we’ve ever had a runner in a Group 1 race in Australia. We’re looking forward to watching the whole day at Randwick tomorrow,” Barbara McComb said.
“Regal Lion’s performances to place in the New Zealand Derby and the Tulloch S. were both outstanding. He seems to be improving with every race.”
