3 minute read
A snapshot of Rosehill.
Freedman 2YO earns Brisbane shot
Michael Freedman will turn his sights to Queensland with two-year-old Ducasse after the debutant rocketed home from back in the field for an impressive third to smart Godolphin filly Dipsy Doodle at Rosehill on Saturday.
It was an eye-catching performance by the son of first season sire Trapeze Artist, who narrowly missed giving Freedman his fourth juvenile winner this week after victories by Fludway at Newcastle last Saturday, Queen Of The Mile at Bathurst on Tuesday and Hip Hip Hurrah at Muswellbrook on Friday.
"He has been a bit of an unassuming type," Freedman said.
"He doesn't do anything too obvious, even in his trials. But in his recent trial, it was only the last 50 metres he started to get the hang of it.
"Tyler (Schiller) made the comment he will only improve as he gets out over further, so we might look at Brisbane with him."
Freedman has a record of success with juveniles in Brisbane and two years ago captured the Group 2 BTC Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm with Tiger Of Malay.
Kavanagh keen on Wrathful
Sam Kavanagh is the first to admit an off-season Midway race is not usually a launch pad for a spring carnival horse, but he is adamant lightly raced gelding Wrathful can break the mould.
The four-year-old took his record to three wins from five starts when coming from a seemingly impossible position to run down his rivals in Saturday's Midway Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill and Kavanagh is convinced it is just the start for the promising horse.
"It's only a Midway but has there ever been a Midway (winner) that impressive?" Kavanagh said.
"He's bloody good. He could be the best I've had.
"I had proper ones when I was at Dad's (trainer Mark Kavanagh), but I've had Group winners and he'd be the best by a long way.
"If he gets a mile-and-a-half, which we think he will and that's what he's bred to do, he's going to be a pretty serious stayer in the spring I think."
Wrathful settled worse than midfield from a wide draw and was shuffled back towards the tail on straightening with a wall of horses in front of him.
Apprentice Dylan Gibbons didn't panic, hooking Wrathful ($4 fav) to the outside and the horse stormed home to nail Miracle Spin ($8.50) in the final bounds with Mayrose ($8) third.
Kavanagh is keen to test the winner in better company before his campaign is over to determine if he follows a staying path in the spring or heads to a race like the Five Diamonds.
Bianco stakes early Kosciuszko claims
Connections of Bianco Vilano are Kosciuszko dreaming after the four-year-old lumped 63.5kg through the heavy conditions at Rosehill to score a courageous Highway Handicap win.
Trainer Ron Stubbs conceded he came close to scratching the top weight when the track was downgraded following the first race but was glad he stuck to his guns when Bianco Vilano rose to the challenge.
"There was a moment where I thought, 'do we scratch or not'? To carry 63-1/2 in these conditions is just a super effort," Stubbs said.
"Perfect ride which is all you can expect from James (McDonald)."
Bianco Vilano went into Saturday's race with almost a month between runs, having not raced since his fourth to Sizzle Minizzle in the Country Championships at Randwick on April 1.
Stubbs plans to send him for a break now and bring him back for the spring where he hopes the horse can be chosen for a slot in The Kosciuszko in October.
"We don't have to do a lot with him so we'll just put him in the paddock and hopefully we can buy a Kosciuszko ticket," he said.
Giga Kick confirmed for Everest defence
All Aged Stakes winner Giga Kick has been locked in to defend his Everest crown with bloodstock agent and slot holder James Harron confirming he has again secured the star sprinter for the 2023 renewal.
Harron took a punt on Giga Kick when the horse was still working his way through the grades last spring and the gamble paid off with the gelding upsetting his more fancied Everest rivals.
There was significantly more competition for Giga Kick this time around but the horse's connections showed loyalty to stick with Harron.
"Excited to announce that we will once again join forces with our 2022 selection, superstar sprinter Giga Kick, alongside his great team," Harron said in a tweet.
"Keeping the lucky group together."
Giga Kick has been freshened since claiming his first Group 1 win during the Sydney autumn carnival and trainer Clayton Douglas is pressing on with plans to take him to Brisbane for the Doomben 10,000 next month.
The Group 1 feature will be Giga Kick's only start in Queensland before he is spelled ahead of preparations for his title defence.
Quote of the day: "It took me ages to pull her up. She still thought she just went for a track gallop, she came in not even blowing. She's a very nice horse and I can't wait see what's underneath that motor." – Apprentice Jett Stanley after celebrating his first Saturday city winner in Sydney on the Anabel Neasham-trained Healing Oasis.
