Kensington preview: Richard and Will Freedman eyeing off victory with progressive three-year-old Cold Brew

Following two handy second placings from his only two starts, the Richard and Will Freedman-trained Cold Brew is chasing a break through win on the Kensington.

Cold Brew is chasing his first win when he heads to Randwick-Kensington. Picture: Bradley Photos

Still on a high following the sentimental win of Magnatear at Wyong last Saturday, trainers Richard and Will Freedman are looking to keep the momentum going with a couple of good chances at the Randwick-Kensington meeting.

The father and son pair saddle up promising three-year-old Cold Brew who is looking to break through for his maiden win in the TAB Plate (1400m).

Off the back of a smart trial win, the son of Pierro started favourite on debut on Newcastle’s Beaumont track on December 19 when runner-up behind Lough Eske.

He followed that up with a nice closing second to Goodlucktome at Canterbury on New Year’s Day.

“He was good first-up and he backed it up with a better performance at his next start,” said Will Freedman.

🍀 Goodlucktome breaks through for his first win at Canterbury!@cmaherracing | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/VBeWRbor6x

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 1, 2025

The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here!

“He is just beating himself at the moment, he’s just doing too much wrong. He was on and off the bit in transit last start.

“I think with a bit of time, he will develop into a lovely horse.

“The only way to do it is to get enough experience into them before they have a break so they have a think about it.

“Hopefully that is off the back of a win this week.

“I just think he is the right type of Pierro to go on with things next preparation.”

Five-year-old gelding Piraeus is returning from a let-up in the Captivant @ Kia Ora Handicap (1400m).

The son of Merchant Navy was winless last campaign but did place in three of his five starts.

A third to Alabama State and a second to Harlow Mist in Midway Handicaps at Rosehill and Newcastle respectively sat either side of a close second to Kingston Charm in the Four Pillars at Rosehill.

“He is ever consistent but funnily enough, we don’t really know what sort of horse he is yet,” said Freedman.

“We have seen him fail a couple of times but they have been on wet tracks. Whether he is genuine stayer, I’m not sure either.

“It’s hard to get a grasp on what sort of horse he is going to be but he certainly has his share of ability.

“I suspect he will run quite well this week. He needs a bit of speed on with his racing pattern but if there is, he will be there for a long way.”

PIRAEUS wins the Orange Cup!

Back-to-back victories in the @RacingOrange1 feature for @R1CHARDFREEDMAN & @willfreedman as the four-year-old storms over the top of Our Orator and Marsabit to win the Big Dance 💃 eligible race. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/NzUgZuJKIa

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) April 19, 2024

Freedman has a nice opinion of Sheriff’s Star and is looking forward to seeing what the three-year-old can do when he resumes as a gelding at Kembla on Thursday.

The son of Zoustar showed ability in his first preparation with a nice second in his first trial and a debut third behind Dumebi at Kembla.

“He is ready to run a good race. Whether the 1000m is a little too sharp for him, time will tell, but he is trending in the right direction,” he said.

“He won’t be a maiden for long and if it’s not this week, it will soon after.

“He’s got his fair share of ability but his racing pattern doesn’t lend well for him particularly at maiden grade.

“With a good jump, he can put himself in the finish.”

No matter how many winners Freedman trains in his career, the win of Magnatear will always hold a special place in his heart because of his close friendship with the gelding’s previous trainer, Sam Kavanagh, who passed away last month.

“It’s a bittersweet win. I hadn’t done a lot of work with this horse. It was done by Sam and Kelly,” he said.

“Sam’s last runner was a winner which was his 99th but with the work he put into this horse, I think it should be an unofficial 100 winners for him.”

CONNERS HOPING FOR A BIG FINISH FROM OUTCAST GIRL

Trainer Marc Conners is hoping Outcast Girl can end her good campaign on a high note and set the platform for bigger things in the winter.

In five starts this preparation, Outcast Girl has scored back-to-back wins at Nowra and Scone before a desperately unlucky second to Subarctic in the Cessnock Cup at Newcastle.

She then had a tough run but was far from disgraced when fifth behind Mega Fight at Nowra.

“She has been racing terribly well without a lot of luck,” said Conners.

“She got stuck three-wide at Nowra the other day. Things just didn’t unfold how we thought they might have.

“Before that, she was held-up in the straight at Newcastle and just didn’t the run when we wanted it. If she got the run, she probably wins.

Conners is hoping fortune favours the four-year-old when she heads to the Kensington meeting where she is an acceptor for two races.

SUBARCTIC wins the Cessnock Cup!@AshMorgan6 times his run nicely on the @mcsmithracing five-year-old to win the $45,000 feature at @newcastleraces_ over Outcast Girl with Bestower in third. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/utoqXMI0Pb

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) December 1, 2024

She is guaranteed a run in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1550m) while she is the fourth emergency in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1800m).

“At this stage she will go the 1550m race,” he said.

“She was scratched from Warwick Farm last week but we have been happy with her since.

“She goes into this race with a nice barrier and some weight relief with Molly’s claim.

“I think she is going to run a forward race.”

Conners has been pleased with the two performances of Prince Harrison and feels the four-year-old is an each-way chance in the Ranvet Plate (1150m) Super Maiden.

The son of Santos debuted with third behind Recruiter at Hawkesbury before third to Atomic Clock at Hawkesbury on Boxing Day.

“He is a bit of a late developed this horse but he has come on in leaps and bounds this preparation,” Conners said.

“He’s a bit similar to Outcast Girl, he still does a few things wrong and is still learning his craft.

“I saw this race a couple of weeks ago after he ran third on the Beaumont.

“It’s a Super Maiden worth good money and thought it was worth having a crack at it with him.

“You need so much luck in Sydney racing. It’s just so competitive but he’s got his foot on the till.

“I think he will run very well. He’s an each-way chance again.”

Meanwhile, stable star Willaidow will trial at Warwick Farm on Thursday and resume in the Group 3 Southern Cross Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on February 1.