Spring dream: Trainer Sam Freedman ‘optimistic’ about Cups king Without A Fight’s progress

Without A Fight, the first stayer since Ethereal (2001) to complete the Caulfield-Melbourne Cup double, will this week tick another box in a meticulous and careful recovery from his tendon injury.

Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Sam Freedman is “optimistic” Without A Fight could yet play a role in the Spring Carnival.

Australian and Victorian Horse of the Year nominee Without A Fight, the first stayer since Ethereal (2001) to complete the Caulfield-Melbourne Cup double, will this week tick another box in a meticulous and careful recovery from his tendon injury.

“He’s on a treadmill-written program, a combination (tread and track), for a period of time and then it’s really checking on the leg, up the work and keep checking it,” Freedman said.

“It might vary after a fortnight or so, but he’s on the treadmill at the moment and he’ll be under saddle this week at some stage.”

Without A Fight returned to Pinecliff last week.

“He seems happy to be here, pumped up … it’s good for everyone he’s back in work and hopefully we see him in the spring, but if it’s not to be, it’s not to be,” Freedman said.

“I’m optimistic, it’s hard to put any percentages, we’re optimistic we’ll see him in the spring but it’s a lot of water to go under the bridge.

“He’s got to get through a lot of work, trials, plenty to come … if he’s lining up he’s lining up in a major, he’s got to be up to his best, there’s no warm-up races for him.”

Right To Party surges to victory at Flemington in the Listed Creswick Sprint Series Final. Picture: Reg Ryan / Racing Photos via Getty Images

Without A Fight is $26 in TAB pre-nomination markets for both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup.

Freedman and father Anthony saddled the 399th winner of their training partnership last Saturday at Caulfield with Rhapsody Chic too strong for The Open in trying heavy conditions.

The combination, outright third in the Melbourne trainer’s premiership behind Ciaron Maher and the Lindsay Park partnership, has trained a Saturday metro winner the past four weeks.

Freedman has sights on stakes’ success to start the new metropolitan season on Saturday with Right To Party in the Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m) at Flemington.

Right To Party must defy a bit of history also, with Hula Wonder (1999) the last mare to win the Aurie’s Star.

Right To Party has thrived this time in, having raced well without winning last campaign.

She placed second first-up in the Group 3 Proud Miss Stakes in Adelaide then won back-to-back races at Flemington, a month between starts, including the Listed Creswick Sprint.

Right To Party bursts through the pack, exploding late to comfortably win the Creswick Sprint Series Final, our last of the day at HQ.

📽 @7HorseRacingpic.twitter.com/apLp2mcx1z

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) July 6, 2024

Freedman attributed Right To Party’s progress to “different training techniques”, including dressage work, maturity and being kept fresh.

“You’re always learning about the horses and she’s no different,” Freedman said.

Imported stayers Post Impressionist and St Vincent’s Garden, owned by Lloyd Williams, could make their Melbourne debuts at Flemington on Saturday.

St Vincent’s Garden placed second at Sunshine Coast for Freedman a fortnight ago, while Post Impressionist raced twice in Sydney last March.

Post Impressionist won the Group 3 Manion Cup (2400m) first-up but failed to fire second-up seven days later in the Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m).

A win like a work of art 🧑‍🎨

Post Impressionist gives @WilliamHaggas his third G3 N E Manion Cup win, with @TomMarquand aboard!@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/wisRETsVQ7

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 23, 2024

“They’ll be nominated (for Flemington), St Vincent’s Garden and Post Impressionist,” Freedman said.

“Post Impressionist looks a good horse, we’ll see where he fits in the spring and the other horse (St Vincent’s Garden) was a really good run, probably over an unsuitable trip (1800m).

“2000m might yet still be a bit sharp for him.”

St Vincent’s Garden, nominated for a 2400m Benchmark 78 on Wednesday, has a 2000m option on Saturday, while Post Impressionist could resume in the 2500m Quality Handicap.

Originally published as Spring dream: Trainer Sam Freedman ‘optimistic’ about Cups king Without A Fight’s progress