Michael Freedman’s 2024 The Everest bolter Mumbai Muse ready to shake up The Shorts at Randwick

Trainer Michael Freedman is ready to roll the dice on the back-up this Saturday at Royal Randwick to give speedy mare Mumbai Muse a chance to stake her claim for the $20 million The Everest.

Trainer Michael Freedman is ready to roll the dice on the back-up this Saturday at Royal Randwick to give speedy mare Mumbai Muse a chance to stake her claim for the $20 million The Everest.

Mumbai Muse will run for the second time in a week when she contests the Group 2 $1 million The Shorts (1100m), in which several contenders will put their Everest credentials on the line.

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With just three slots currently filled for the richest race on turf, Freedman is eager for Mumbai Muse to throw herself into the mix.

The in-form daughter of Zoustar went close to lowering the colours of current The Everest third-elect Sunshine In Paris last Saturday with a strong performance in the Group 2 Sheraco Stakes.

It encouraged Freedman to have a crack seven days later.

Sunshine In Paris firms up in TAB Everest betting following her sensational first-up win in the Irresistible Pools Sheraco Stakes 🔥🔥🔥@ANeashamRacing@TommyBerry21

The mare is $15-$8 with @tabcomau to win the Everest on October 19 pic.twitter.com/k0FzDJNJ1G

— Australian Turf Club (@aus_turf_club) September 14, 2024

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“I just figured when she pulled up so well, I was keen to have a look,” Freedman said.

“I wanted to see where she drew and what the field looked like and it looks like a fairly high-speed race, which will suit her.

“If she was to put in a good performance, there are still quite a few Everest slots that haven’t been spoken for.

“Maybe there is that possibility she could get there and I think when you get these mares that hit a purple patch, why not have a look?”

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Jockey Tommy Berry takes over the ride on Mumbai Muse, who has been well supported from $15 into $8.50 for The Shorts.

There will be no shortage of rivals hoping to stake similar The Everest claims with I Am Me ($2.80), Private Eye ($6.50), Aft Cabin ($9), Mazu ($9.50) and Stefi Magnetica ($12) all set to clash.

Freedman could have already had a big day by the time Mumbai Muse runs with stable weapon Manaal chasing back-to-back Princess Series victories in the Group 2 $300,000 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) with regular jockey Jason Collett aboard.

Manaal, winner of the Group 1 Sires’ Produce Stakes as a two-year-old, added her first three-year-old win by taking out the Group 2 Furious Stakes last time and is a $4.20 chance to win again this weekend.

Manaal turns the tables on Ameena in the G2 Furious Stakes at Randwick, and it's a race record - 1:08:68!@[e-mail]/DbjZTHwlGQ

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 7, 2024

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But the daughter of Tassort has been set an unenviable task as she takes on boom filly Autumn Glow ($1.95) for the first time.

Autumn Glow has started her career with a bang with two wins from as many starts, including the Group 3 Up And Coming Stakes last start.

“There is a big boom on Autumn Glow and it may well prove to be worthy of it so it adds another dimension to the race for sure,” Freedman said.

“She been very impressive at her first start and Group 3 level at her second start but this is probably another step up in grade against some handy fillies.

“While I respect what she has been able to, you have to take that step up again.

“I am happy with Manaal and I think the 1400m is around about her ideal distance.

“I am sure she give her all as she always does.”

AUTUMN GLOW maintains her unbeaten record in the Up & Coming Stakes at Rosehill. #impressive#filly#Australia
Watch Live Aussie Racing: https://t.co/ihDNkDadxIpic.twitter.com/ssdicOqyy3

— Sky Racing World (@SkyRacingWorld) August 31, 2024

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Freedman’s tentative plan is to press on towards the Group 1 Flight Stakes with Manaal but will base his final decision from her performance in Saturday’s third leg of the Princess Series.

The stable wraps up the card with classy sprinter Moravia ($3.70) in the The Agency Real Estate Benchmark 88 Handicap (1200m).

Moravia was beaten but far from disgraced in the Group 3 Concorde Stakes last time after being scratched a week earlier when she drew wide in Benchmark 88 grade.

“It was a little bit of an afterthought to run there but I thought he acquitted himself really well against that calibre of sprinter,” Freedman said.

“That is the kind of horse he has shown me at home often.

“I think now that he has been gelded for a good while and a really uninterrupted preparation, I think he is in great form so I think it looks like a nice race for him there on Saturday.”

Freedman has secured the services of champion rider James McDonald for Moravia.

Originally published as Michael Freedman’s 2024 The Everest bolter Mumbai Muse ready to shake up The Shorts at Randwick