Sam Freedman reveals his raceday superstition ahead of busy Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes meeting at Caulfield

Sam Freedman will oversee a big team at Caulfield on Saturday but you won’t find him in the mounting yard when the barriers open.

Sam Freedman likes to find a quiet spot to watch the races. Picture: Getty Images

Sam Freedman has a big team engaged for Saturday’s Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes meeting at Caulfield but one less thing to worry about: Where to stand seconds before the jump.

It is often proclaimed horses have quirks.

Well, so do those around them.

Just like some jockeys wear or stack riding gear a particular way, trainers like Freedman often warm to “spots” to watch the races from.

“I’d rather watch them on small screens somewhere, a little superstitious,” Freedman said.

“I just prefer to be in my own space than in front of a lot of people.

“I don’t like watching races in front of crowds (in the mounting yard).”

Freedman will stride into the mounting yard on Saturday before races 3, 5, 6, 7, and 9 to saddle up eight starters including Melbourne Cup contenders Realm Of Flowers and Delphi.

Groundswell looms as a lightweight knockout in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke, while La Mexicana will be looking to hit back in the Group 3 How Now after being under the weather last start.

Devout Hero and Elusive Express will tackle the Thousand Guineas Prelude while reformed barrier rogue Forbes and Lunakorn rounds out the Caulfield runners.

Realm Of Flowers is tracking towards the Melbourne Cup. Picture: Getty Images

Before the jump Freedman, who co-trainers in partnership with father Anthony, will quietly leave the mounting yard, walk down a ramp and into the bowels of Caulfield.

He will watch the events unfold from there, next to “good luck charm” Hayley Addison, the Clerk of the Scales, before heading back up to the mounting yard for the post-race commitments.

Should Addison not be rostered on (she is by the way) Freedman has found a spot on the lawn about 100m from the winning post – a benefit of not having a crowd to contend with.

“Hopefully Hayley is on course on Saturday, she’s normally a good-luck charm,” Freedman, who cannot remember the first winner he watched with Addison, said.

“I know she was there when Artorius won the (Group 1 Blue) Diamond,” Freedman said

“So that’s enough to keep it going.”

FROM THE YARD

Delphi, R7 No.4 – $8.50

“He’s just going to keep improving the more racing he does here and the further out in trip he gets. I think he’s probably going to be most effective on ground with a bit of give so rain about won’t hurt. He can give them a shake on Saturday.”

Realm Of Flowers, R7 No.14 – $16

“She’s run there (The Valley) twice now I think for two lasts, but she did warm up late, visually it’s probably hard to tell but her times were good. She’ll go from here to the Herbert Power and then into the Melbourne Cup. Prefer he racing three or four weeks between runs.”

Groundswell, R8 No.8 – $23

“He’ll need to be at his absolute best to give them a shake, he’s been carrying big weights in open handicaps for quite some time now and he probably won’t know himself now dropping back to the 52kg. We’ll ride him as we always do … and making it a really testing 1400m. With no weight, I think that’s going to be his best chance of causing a boilover, if he can get everything out of their comfort zone and then stave them off.”

La Mexicana, R9 No.4 – $6

“Her bloods weren’t 100 per cent (after last start) so we just backed off her and she’s come back to life now. I think she’s going to bounce right back to form. She’s probably more effective on a track with a bit of give, she’s effective on good ground but soft ground really is to her liking and maybe more of an aggressive ride on the weekend might benefit her. She tends to do her best racing when she’s defending up there on the speed and they come at her she really knuckles down, I think when she’s chasing she’s not as effective.”

Originally published as Sam Freedman reveals his raceday superstition ahead of busy Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes meeting at Caulfield