James McDonald’s advice gives Tony Gollan a secret weapon with Freedom Rally ahead of Epsom Handicap tilt

Freedom Rally kicks off in Saturday’s Tramway Stakes at Randwick, where trainer Tony Gollan is daring to dream of an Epsom Handicap after some advice from superstar jockey James McDonald.

Freedom Rally kicks off his campaign in Sydney on Saturday. Pictures: Grant Peters /Trackside Photography.

Tony Gollan has the advice of superstar James McDonald ringing in his ears as he sets Stradbroke Handicap hard luck story Freedom Rally on a Group 1 Epsom Handicap campaign at Randwick on Saturday.

The winter surprise packet was one of the big improvers for Gollan, but just missed a run in the Stradbroke and was forced to go to the Listed Wayne Wilson (1600m) on the same day instead, where McDonald suggested he would benefit from a set of blinkers to get rid of his customary “flat spot” mid race.

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Gollan trialled Freedom Rally in blinkers with resounding success last week and said while he was unlikely to use them first-up in the Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) on Saturday, it was a good weapon to have up his sleeve for a spring campaign.

The champion trainer was under no illusions as to the difficulty of Freedom Rally’s spring campaign and said he needed to see him right in the mix on Saturday to justify forging ahead towards the Group 1 Epsom (1600m), where he is currently a $26 chance.

“We wanted to trial him in the blinkers because James (McDonald) said when he rode him, he felt a set of blinkers might just focus him a bit,” Gollan said.

Punters are off to a good start at Eagle Farm with Freedom Rally winning The Wayne Wilson for @tonygollan and @mcacajamez! @BrisRacingClubpic.twitter.com/GGkU7GVUJH

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 15, 2024

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“You would have seen him hit that flat spot in his races throughout the winter carnival, hopefully that nullifies that.

“Whether I use them first-up in the Tramway, or we wait until we get into the prep is probably more likely.

“But he had a trial in blinkers just to get him familiar with them and I think he did everything pretty right.

“I thought he trialled well and his recovery was very good, all the data came back and showed us he is very fit and ready to go.”

James McDonald has recommended blinkers for Freedom Rally. Pictures: Grant Peters / Trackside Photography.

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While it was McDonald’s advice that has Gollan bullish on his future, it is Craig Williams who will be in the saddle in the Tramway on Saturday.

“Off that winter prep, early in the spring in the Tramway, I would need to be very competitive and run top three or four in the tramway to think I'm a serious chance in an Epsom,” Gollan said.

“I thought the Tramway was a really good kick-off point for my horse – a lot of winter horses who have gone towards Epsoms have started off in this race.

“It’s been a really good method in years gone by.

.@mcacajamez started the day with a win on Freedom Rally at Eagle Farm, and here's what he said not long ago!@[e-mail]/9MhZYdVE0R

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 15, 2024

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“The reason we are in Sydney with him is we have had a bit of a mindset of looking to go towards the Epsom with him.

“But there is so many races and so much money.

“Could we deviate to Melbourne for a Toorak (Handicap)?

“Or do we look at if we are not up to that top level for an Epsom, do we look at trying to qualify for a Big Dance with what races are left down there because he will be based in Sydney.?

“There are a lot of options for him.”

Originally published as James McDonald’s advice gives Tony Gollan a secret weapon with Freedom Rally ahead of Epsom Handicap tilt