Randwick Inside Mail: Ang Pow wows trainers Richard and Will Freedman to shelve retirement plans

Trainer Richard Freedman knows Ang Pow is closer to the end of his career than the beginning, but his recent form surge means he’ll get more opportunities for wins. Plus, get Ray Thomas’ best bets for Randwick on Saturday.

Ang Pow wins at Randwick on December 21. The Richard and Will Freedman-trained six-year-old is aiming to make it two on the trot at Randwick tomorrow. Picture: Jeremy Ng / Getty Images

Trainer Richard Freedman says rising seven-year-old Ang Pow’s form surge has shelved retirement talk for now.

“Ang Pow is closer to the end of his career to the start but he’s enjoying his racing and is going as well as ever,’’ Freedman said.

“When he is in this sort of form, then we will keep him going.’’

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Ang Pow scored the seventh win of his 21-start career over the Royal Randwick 1400m course three weeks ago and returns to the same course and distance for the Toyota Forklifts Handicap on Saturday.

He’s having his fourth start this campaign so we think he’s still got plenty to give,’’ said Freedman, who trains in partnership with his son, Will.

“But we do know with Ang Pow he will be trying his absolute hardest, he always does.’’

Ang Pow is on the second line of betting at $4.40 behind hot favourite Accredited at $1.65.

💥 Ang Pow is too good for them at Randwick, and it's a @R1CHARDFREEDMAN - @willfreedman quinella as Elettrica runs second!@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/LlCON0J79c

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 21, 2024

• EXPERT TIPS: Professional punter James Molony’s race-by-race tips and analysis for Randwick on Saturday

The Freedman stable also has Head Of The Herd resuming in the Midway Handicap (1100m).

Head Of The Herd has won two trials impressively in recent weeks and significantly has firmed from $11 into $7.50 behind Bundeena at $3.30.

“I believe Head Of The Herd is going better than ever since we have had him,’’ Freedman said.

“He had a few little issues when he was last in work but we gave him a good break and he’s trialled really well.

“He needs to improve to keep going through the grades but I think he is capable of doing that over summer.’’

Head Of The Herd hangs on!

Adam Hyeronimus string in the saddle for @GaiWaterhouse1 and Adrian Bott. @gobloodstockauspic.twitter.com/Ii4MqmlBae

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 26, 2023

• RAY & DUFF: Ray Thomas and Ron Dufficy’s tips and analysis for Randwick on Saturday

Freedman confirmed promising three-year-old Pocketing would not back up in the TAB Handicap (1600m) after his luckless second to the talented Oh Diamond Lil at Canterbury on New Year’s Day.

“We believe Pocketing is a better horse than a lot of people think of him,’’ Freedman said.

“He’s pulled up well from Canterbury but we won’t back up on Saturday. He’s going to have a little freshen up and we will give him a shot at some nice races in autumn.’’

It's back-to-back wins for Oh Diamond Lil who sails to an easy victory at Canterbury!@DavidPfieffer | @JoshuaParr8 | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/DRQxQnjTfd

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 1, 2025

• Tips from the big bookies for Saturday, January 4

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RANDWICK BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS
Race 1: Devil Night $3.60-$3.20, Point Score $8-$5
Race 2: Bundeena $4.60-$3.20, Head of the Herd $11-$7.50, Zoukerino $15-$9
Race 3: In Summer $4.40-$3.60 with a bet of $2000 at $3.80, Associate $6-$4.60
Race 4: Space Age $13-$10
Race 5: Perfumist $6-$4, Codetta $11-$6
Race 6: Sly Boots $6-$4.20, Fiddlers Green $8-$4.40
Race 7: Amazing Eagle $3.60-$2.80, Disneck $4.60-$2.90
Race 8: Akkadian Emperor $8-$3.80, Jealous $8-$6
Race 9: Apex $6-$4
Race 10: West Of Africa $4.60-$3.70, Piggyback $11-$6.50

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EARLY QUADDIE
Race 3: 1,3,5,6
Race 4: 2,6
Race 5: 2,4,11,13
Race 6: 4,5,6,17

QUADDIE
Race 7: 6,7,9
Race 8: 9,12,15,17
Race 9: 3,4,10,12
Race 10: 1,2,13

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PRICE CHECK

IN SUMMER (Race 3) has drawn wide but that hasn’t stopped punters from backing the in-form mare who has firmed from $4.40 to $3.60 including a bet of $2000 at $3.80. There has been significant market moves for CODETTA (Race 5) from $11 to $6, FIDDLERS GREEN (Race 6) is $8 to $4.40, DISNECK (Race 7) is $4.60 into $2.90 and PIGGYBACK (Race 10) is $11 into $6.50.

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TRIAL POINTERS

POINT SCORE (Race 1) has shaped promisingly in two barrier trials, in particular his most recent hitout when he ripped around Warwick Farm’s inside track and put more than five lengths on his chasing rivals, stopping the clock at a fast 46.16s for 790m. A $150,000 Magic Millions purchase, Point Score is closely related on his dam’s side to the talented speedster Heatherly and looks to have inherited his share of natural talent.

Here's a rapid unraced one!

Point Score (2c Blue Point x Hill Of Grange)
$150k buy for @amanda_racing from @Middlebrookstud at @mmsnippets GC.
This the 2nd trial.

The half-sister going to @inglis_sales Classic as Lot 293.https://t.co/[e-mail]/RRbuzztdJ2

— Breednet (@BreednetNews) December 19, 2024

COSMONOVA (Race 9) has won four of her seven starts and resumes off two solid barrier trials. In her recent Rosehill heat, Cosmonova was deliberately ridden back in the field then ran out well without being tested to finish fourth. She seemed desperate to go faster in what was a pleasing trial. Talented mare and primed to sprint well fresh.

Cosmonova gets the head down in time to win Race 3 at Rosehill for @PrideRacing in a thrilling photo finish! 📸 pic.twitter.com/P4lWkZ6SZ6

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 3, 2024

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SECTIONAL STARS

DISNECK (Race 7) has won successive Randwick 1200m races in recent weeks with brilliant last-to-first bursts. Last Saturday, he stormed home his final 600m in 33.78s with a closing 200m sectional split of 11.83s as he raced clear of his rivals and won easily, without being fully tested by jockey Zac Lloyd.

It's another last to first win for Disneck after the @BBakerRacing trained gelding makes it two on the trot! 💪@ZacLloydxpic.twitter.com/aWEBhOH4BC

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 28, 2024

WEST OF AFRICA (Race 10) was back near last on the turn and was taken to the centre of the track where he zoomed home to finish third when resuming over the Randwick 1300m course two weeks ago. West Of Africa was timed to run his last 600m in a very fast 33.17s including a sectional split of 11.48s for the final 200m – both times easily the best of that race.

Accredited finds to win the last at Randwick today for @PrideRacing and @SchofieldChad 👏@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/rwgxLO1Kc7

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 21, 2024

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BEST BET

AKKADIAN EMPEROR (Race 8) is only second emergency and needs luck getting into his race but if he gains a start, back him with confidence. The Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald-trained Akkadian Emperor is only lightly-raced but is very promising if his dominant comeback win over 1850m at Newcastle is any indication. He settled on speed, took a while to balance up in the straight but once he did, he raced clearly to win by more than four lengths. This is a tough race but he’s a progressive young stayer.

Akkadian Emperor was too good for them in the opener at @hawkesburyrc, and @ANeashamRacing is off to a good start!@AlyshaCollettpic.twitter.com/euRAIbdv9r

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 23, 2024

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VALUE

FIDDLERS GREEN (Race 6) was dynamic first-up at Hawkesbury then was inconvenienced by a heavy track at Rosehill before his game effort at Randwick last start. He kept working hard to the line to finish second behind the unbeaten Churchill’s Choice in a strong form race over the Randwick mile course. Fiddlers Green is very fit now and still seems good value around $5.50 as this race has been hit by numerous scratchings.

Originally published as Randwick Inside Mail: Ang Pow wows trainers Richard and Will Freedman to shelve retirement plans