Declarationofheart set to chase Freedman’s third Adelaide Group 1 in less than 12 months

The Anthony Freedman stable will chase a third Adelaide Group 1 in less than 12 months in next month’s South Auatralian Derby after Declarationofheart stamped his class in the Chairman’s Stakes.

Declarationofheart wins the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes at Morphettville Picture: Akins Photography

The Anthony Freedman stable will chase a third Adelaide Group 1 in less than a year in next month’s South Australian Derby after Declarationofheart stamped his class in the $120,000 Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes (2032m) at Morphettville on Saturday.

Returning from an unsuccessful ATC Derby tilt in Sydney, Declarationofheart was heavily backed to run an odds-on favourite and gave punters some anxious moments before finding clear running and powering home.

The victory shortened his odds to $4.20 second favourite for the Derby behind Phillip Stokes’ Mr Quickie ($3.70 favourite with Ladbrokes), who continued his outstanding season at Caulfield earlier in the day.

Freedman’s Racing Manager Brad Taylor said it was nice to see Declarationofheart reward connections’ patience.

Yesterday’s success was his first for 252 days, with the 2500m Derby in two weeks now firmly in his sights.

Declarationofheart wins the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes at Morphettville Picture: Akins Photography

It was the second leg of riding double for Clayton Douglas after winning aboard Artie Dee Two earlier.

Victorian Star Missle and Tony McEvoy’s Classic Weiwei charged home from a long way back and will progress towards the Derby.

Classic Weiwei was impressive after racing keenly in the early stages of the race before motoring home wide out at just his fifth race start.

“He’s still learning,’’ said McEvoy’s assistant trainer John Cornell. “He’s going to thrive at the mile and half.’’

McEvoy’s East Indiaman bounced back to winning form in style, running rivals off their legs in the $100,000 Listed Nitschke Stakes (1400m).

East Indiaman, who showed brilliant speed to work across stablemate Lake District Girl to find the lead, left rivals standing on the turn. He pinched a race-winning break before holding off well-backed Seberate and fast-finishing Ice Ghost.

It was the second leg of a double for top trainer McEvoy.

Both winners were ridden by Raquel Clark, who maintained a two-win lead over Jamie Kah in the Adelaide Riders’ Premiership.