Mitch Freedman’s triple shot at Group 1 glory, plus Michael Manley’s early Derby Day preview
The Victoria Derby meeting is one of the great race days for the year with four Group 1s and the Hotham Handicap, the last-ditch attempt to gain a Melbourne Cup start. Michael Manley casts his eye over those five races.
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Ballarat trainer Mitch Freedman hasn’t had a Group 1 runner in his career, but he could have three at Flemington next week.
Freedman has locked in three-year-old colt Southern Moon for a start in the $2 million Victoria Derby (2500m), which he says is the best edition for five years and could signal the resurgence of the Australian stayer.
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SCROLL DOWN FOR MICHAEL MANLEY’S PREVIEW OF THE FIVE BIG RACES ON DERBY DAY
He is also looking at starting two three-year-old fillies who ran at the Valley on Saturday — Broadwayandfourth (Listed Crockett Stakes winner) and Moonlight Maid (Group 2 Vase runner-up) — in Group 1 races.
Freedman will nominate Broadwayandfourth for the $1.5 million Coolmore Stud Stakes.
He will make a decision in the next few days on whether to run Moonlight Maid in the $1 million VRC Oaks on Thursday week.
“Broadwayandfourth did enough to throw in a nomination for the Coolmore. She was very strong in the finish, and it might be an opportunity for her to win a Group 1 or to run a placing,” Freedman said.
He was also pleased with Southern Moon’s second in last week’s Listed Geelong Classic, behind Long Jack.
“I thought he was terrific. We’ll ride him more conservatively, and we’re hoping he can draw a gate,” he said.
“It’s going to be a very hard race, though. It’s probably going to be the strongest Derby in five years. I think he’s going to be a top-five chance in such a strong edition. He’s still learning his craft. It’s a great sign that Australians are now breeding more stayers.”
Southern Moon is from the first crop of Swettenham Stud stallion Puissance De Lune, as is Moonlight Maid.
Freedman said he was happy with Moonlight Maid’s second place, but she had overraced in the early stages, which told in the finish.
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VICTORIA DERBY ($2 million, 2500m, 3yo)
SHADOW HERO ($2.80)
Sydney gelding who boasts the strongest formlines. Defeated Cox Plate runner-up Castelvecchio last start to win the Spring Champion Stakes.
THOUGHT OF THAT ($4)
Catapulted into Derby calculations with two dynamic all-the-way wins. Toyed with his Caulfield Classic rivals and it would not surprise to see him do the same in the Derby.
SOUL PATCH ($5)
He’s untapped. Gave away too big a start in the Caulfield Guineas in which he charged home. Blinkers went on in the Vase on Saturday and he won easily. Might be a star.
LONG JACK ($11)
Blinkers went on in the Geelong Classic and he came from well back for an easy win. His pedigree suggests he’ll be even better suited over 2500m.
SOUTHERN MOON ($11)
Big grey who shapes well as a stayer. Raced on the speed and fought on for second in the Geelong Classic. Trainer Mitch Freedman says the colt will settle back in the Derby.
WARNING ($8)
Well beaten by Thought Of That in the Caulfield Classic, but it would be no surprise to see him turn the tables as Flemington will suit him better and he’ll run out the 2500m.
RELUCENT ($15)
No match for the finishing burst of Long Jack at Geelong, where he worked forward to sit second, led 400m out and still fought on well for third.
COOLMORE STUD STAKES ($1.5 million, 1200m, 3yo)
BIVOUAC ($3.20)
James Cummings assessed his luckless run in the Manikato Stakes as “a six-furlong barrier trial” and pointed out Sunlight had a similar experience before she won this race last year. He’s a class act and will be hard to beat.
EXCEEDANCE ($4.40)
He’s finished third behind star colts Bivouac and Yes Yes Yes at his past two starts. Before that he defeated Bivouac. Has the form to be a major player.
LIBERTINI ($5)
Some suggested she was our next superstar after her easy first-up win at Randwick in fast time. Her reputation was dented slightly with a subsequent narrow win and a third. Has been freshened and is good enough to win.
COSMIC FORCE ($6)
Emerging Sydney star who led throughout to win the Roman Consul Stakes at Randwick in a fast time, defeating smart horses Standout and Microphone. That’s often a good form race for this and he has race fitness on his side.
CALIFORNIA ZIMBOL ($7)
Flying filly who shrugged off subsequent Group 1 winner Loving Gaby’s challenge at Caulfield almost with contempt. Could be something special.
ANAHEED ($15)
Brave run to finish third in the Group 1 Manikato after a strong win at Caulfield. Good enough for this.
BROOKLYN HUSTLE ($26)
Things haven’t gone her way in two races back from a spell. She can run great sectionals and could pull out a big effort.
CANTALA STAKES ($2 million, 1600m, open)
FIERCE IMPACT ($6)
Followed a second to subsequent Epsom winner Kolding with a good run-on effort to win the Toorak Handicap.
NIGHT’S WATCH ($7)
Held up for a run in the Toorak before he stormed home for second. Great chance to turn the tables.
ROYAL MEETING ($8)
English raider who after a year out suffered the first defeat in his three-start career when third to Streets Of Avalon at Caulfield. He’s a Group 1 winner and will be better suited over a mile.
ADMIRAL’S JOKER ($11)
Seems to have taken his game to another level with three impressive wins. Toughest challenge, but no surprise if he’s up to it.
STAR OF THE SEAS ($11)
The Chris Waller galloper ran third in the Epsom last start. That’s strong form.
CASCADIAN ($15)
Looked in an awkward position but powered home for a narrow win at Randwick last start over 1600m. Had little luck in the Epsom before that.
BEST OF DAYS ($15)
Won this race last year and his third in Saturday’s Crystal Mile was a good trial for this. Finished off well out wide.
EMPIRE ROSE STAKES ($1 million, 1600m, fillies & mares)
MELODY BELLE
Kiwi who has won nine Group 1s. She’s won six of her past seven starts, including the past three at the top level.
LOVING GABY
Ciaron Maher suggested she was heading here after she won Friday’s Manikato. She’s a brilliant filly who has had one start over 1600m for a second to Castelvecchio.
FLIT
Looked in trouble but took a gap in the closing stages to win the Thousand Guineas. Classy filly.
MISSILE MANTRA
Luckless this campaign. Failed by a lip to defeat Flit in the Thousand Guineas.
PRINCESS JENNI
Slow to begin in the Toorak and settled last. Damien Oliver then had to try for inside runs. She looked about to get one, but it closed on her. Classy and has the talent to win.
SPANISH REEF
Underrated mare who returned to her best with a 1600m win at Caulfield last start. Has the class to be in the finish.
FIDELIA
Gets back to her favourite track and distance and this is the race she’s been set for. Should be in the finish.
RONDINELLA
Kiwi mare who has finished second to top-class mares Princess Jenni and Spanish Reef in two runs this time in.
$300,000
HOTHAM HANDICAP (2500m)
Last-chance saloon for the Melbourne Cup
HUSH WRITER
The Japanese-bred stayer led throughout to win the ATC St Leger easily last start. Three starts ago he won the Newcastle Cup. Could be a Cup smoky.
WOLFE
Led and tired in the Caulfield Cup, in which he was beaten 5½ lengths. That run is good enough to make him a factor in this.
SOUND
Loomed as if he was going to be in the finish in the Caulfield Cup but suffered interference. Trainer Mike Moroney is keen to get the import in the Melbourne Cup.
RED GALILEO
English raider. Solid run in the Geelong Cup when a close-up fifth to Prince Of Arran.
BRIMHAM ROCKS
Had a tough run in the Caulfield Cup so it was no surprise to see him weaken. He ran second to Prince Of Arran in this race last year.
ALL MARKETS TAB — EMPIRE ROSE STAKES AND HOTHAM HANDICAP MARKETS WILL BE FRAMED AFTER NOMINATIONS CLOSE TODAY