Victorian filly Ameena draws first blood in opening leg of Princess Series with a thrilling victory

A strong late charge under James McDonald has seen Ameena win the Silver Shadow Stakes at Randwick in a thrilling finish.

Ameena and James McDonald (red, blue sleeves) beats Silmarillion (blue) and Manaal (green, white cap) in the Group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes at Randwick. Picture: Getty Images

It was trainer Anthony Freedman’s shout for dinner after his filly, Ameena, defeated his brother’s stable star, Manaal, in a thriller at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Ameena unleashed a strong surge under James McDonald to reel in Godolphin’s Silmarillion and the Michael Freedman-trained Manaal to win the Group 2 $300,000 Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m).

There was only about a half length separating the top five finishers but it was the fast-finishing Ameena who gained the lead in the final few strides.

Anthony Freedman trains in partnership with son, Sam, on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula and had Ameena stabled at his brother’s Randwick training complex.

“I think Michael’s going to send me home,” Anthony Freedman said.

“I’m living with him at the moment and he’s already told me it’s my shout tonight.”

Ameena ($4.80) collared Silmarillion ($21) in the final few strides to win by a short half head with Manaal ($2.05 favourite) a head away third, just in front of Erno’s Cube and Zeitung.

Champion jockey James McDonald revealed Ameena was his first winner for trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman.

“Ameena’s improved a lot since last time I rode her (ninth in the Percy Sykes Stakes in autumn), she’s come on immensely,” McDonald said.

“She moved well today, she was a nice filly when I rode her so it wasn’t going to take much to improve her, really nice win today.”

Racing NSW stewards questioned James McDonald about an incident just after the finish line where Zeitung appeared to be inconvenienced when tightened for room.

McDonald has made a blazing start to the new season and with the spring carnival just around the corner, he would be hoping to stay out of the stewards room.

Anthony Freedman stopped short of confirming Ameena would continue through the Princess Series to the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on October 5.

“She won her first two starts, leading or right on pace, but I’ve never really thought that’s how she would race, so it opens up some options for her,” Freedman said. “But I’m not sure if she will run 1600m.”

Ameena improved her record to three wins (and a second placing) from five starts with Freedman maintaining the filly had excuses for her unplaced Percy Sykes effort during The Championships last autumn.

“We took quite a few up to Queensland this year including Ameena and it worked well for us,” Freedman said.

Ameena races home and gets the nose in front at the right time to win the Silver Shadow Stakes for @FreedmanRacing! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/Px9T6DKXEd

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 24, 2024

“The winters are much harder in Melbourne, obviously, so we like to get the better ones away. She came here and she presented well today, and there was enough speed for her to finish off.”

Godolphin trainer James Cummings was delighted with both Silmarillion and Zeitung (fifth) and said their competitive efforts will set both fillies up for good spring carnivals.

Manaal, winner of the Group 1 ATC Sires Produce Stakes in autumn, had topweight of 58kg and her close third pleased jockey Jason Collett.

“She has run really well,” Collett said of Manaal. “She had a few more kilos than other runners and was first-up too so there is improvement to come. I was happy with the run.”

■ Anthony Freedman also provided an update on his super stayer Without A Fight, winner of the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups double last spring.

Without A Fight hasn’t raced since his Melbourne Cup triumph due to a leg injury but Freedman revealed the eight-year-old gelding is back in full work ahead of a spring carnival comeback.

“I don’t really know where we will end up this spring but he is healthy and is probably a lot fitter than we think he is,” Freedman said.

“He has done a lot of ‘rehab’ work but we haven’t done any real serious work with him yet.

“We will see him again in spring. I’m not going to say what he will end up in because I don’t know at this stage but if it is right at the end of the spring so be it.”

Without A Fight is at $26 in latest TAB Fixed Odds betting for the Melbourne Cup behind Sydney Cup winner Circle Of Fire and Irish stayer Vauban at $11.

Originally published as Victorian filly Ameena draws first blood in opening leg of Princess Series with a thrilling victory