Trainer Michael Freedman concerned about Manaal carrying topweight in Silver Shadow Stakes return at Randwick

Michael Freedman will saddle up chances in three of the five stakes races at Randwick but the return of Manaal excites him most.

Michael Freedman will get a guide on the strength of his spring carnival armoury this Saturday with gun mare Manaal set to be a worthy headline act at Royal Randwick.

Freedman will saddle up chances in three of the five stakes races but anticipation is set to be at its highest when Manaal makes her return in the Group 2 $300,000 Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m).

Manaal was among the best two-year-olds to step out last season, completing a sweep of Group races over the campaign.

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She won the Group 3 Gimcrack Stakes on debut, the Group 2 Sweet Embrace Stakes on her way to the Golden Slipper before capturing the Group 1 Sires’ Produce Stakes.

Her excellent performances have seen her slugged with the topweight of 58kg in the Silver Shadow Stakes – 3kg more than most of her rivals.

Freedman believes she will be up to the challenge.

“She obviously has to carry the penalty which means she will be giving weight to all the others but I think the 1200m at her home track at Royal Randwick is suitable,” Freedman said.

“Not that she doesn’t run well at Rosehill but last preparation she ran first up over 1100m at Rosehill and gave Lady Of Camelot a big start at the top of the straight.

“I think 1200m at Randwick is more to her liking but I am mindful she is carrying weight.”

Sires’ Produce winner Manaal is favourite to make a winning return at Randwick on Saturday. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Jason Collett will back aboard Manaal ($2.50 fav) after missing the ride on the filly in her last start in the Champagne Stakes due to injury.

Manaal is also the $3.50 favourite to win the final leg of the Princess Series – the Group 1 Flight Stakes – with Freedman likely to follow the traditional fillies’ path through the carnival.

But the Randwick conditioner will still keep the door open for a crack at the Group 1 Golden Rose.

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“I have an open mind at this stage,” Freedman said.

“Manaal seems to have come back in good order on the back of those two trials and I think they were nice trials.

“She seems switched on and in terms of which path we go, I think we will see how things go on Saturday and make better plans from there.

“The natural path is to head towards the Flight Stakes but I wouldn’t rule anything out at this stage.”

Freedman has talented mares Mumbai Muse and Blanc De Blanc ready to return in the Group 3 $250,000 Toy Show Quality (1100m).

Mumbai Muse ($10) is already a Group 3 winner but failed to finish among the placings in three autumn starts, including a luckless ninth in the Arrowfield 3YO Sprint last start.

“Mumbai Muse’s last start in the autumn, she didn’t get a lot of galloping room,” Freedman said.

“She had a nice six-week spell in Queensland after that and has had a nice build up.

“I am very happy with her but it is a good race and there are some good mares there as you’d expect.

“Hopefully it sets her up for a trouble-free prep.”

Mumbai Muse had a luckless autumn campaign. Picture: Michael Klein

Blanc De Blanc endured a forgettable three-year-old season.

The classy daughter of I Am Invincible has had just two starts since finishing sixth in the Golden Slipper but was unplaced in both.

Freedman is adamant she’s better than those results suggest.

“Blanc De Blanc’s autumn didn’t pan out at all,” Freedman said.

“She went to Melbourne and struck funny track at Caulfield then came back here and was scratched on race day.

“Whatever could go wrong did go wrong.

“I am happy with her this time back but I think at her best she is up to these better quality races.”

A Group 3 winner in the autumn, Ducasse will make his return in the Group 3 $250,000 Show County Quality (1200m).

Freedman is hoping Ducasse can win his way into races like the Epsom Handicap and Golden Eagle later in the carnival

His first up assignment over six furlongs will be short of his best but Freedman expects Ducasse ($34) is set for a strong preparation.

“I have been very happy with Ducasse,” he said.

“1200m is short of his ideal trip. He won his maiden over 1200m at Warwick Farm though.

“I have been happy enough with his trials, he has been sharp enough and it’s a nice race to kick him off in with the lightweight on his back.

“Hopefully it opens up some options for him over a bit further later on.”

Freedman also has Rattle And Hum in race four with Flying Destiny and Panic in race 10.

Originally published as Trainer Michael Freedman concerned about Manaal carrying topweight in Silver Shadow Stakes return at Randwick