Jockey Craig Williams reckons Freedom Rally will show he’s a Group 1 galloper this spring

Queensland raider Freedom Rally will kick-off his Sydney campaign in Saturday’s Group 2 Tramway Stakes at Royal Randwick.

Leading Queensland trainer Tony Gollan has Group 1 aims for Freedom Rally this spring and jockey Craig Williams is adamant the emerging talent will be up for it.

Gollan has sent Freedom Rally south on a mission to the $1.5 million Epsom Handicap next month.

• Gai to unleash mystery mare for ‘major Cups campaign’

The smart son of Rubick will take a crucial step towards the goal when he returns in the Group 2 $300,000 Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick.

“He’s absolutely up to an Epsom,” Williams said.

“He has definitely got the ability and if he keeps coming on mentally, then he definitely has the ability for a race like that, I have no doubt about it.”

Gollan sent Freedom Rally for a spell following his win in the Listed The Wayne Wilson (1600m) at Eagle Farm in June.

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

• Moir Stakes tips, betting strategies from our experts

Williams got a chance to ride the improving five-year-old two starts earlier when he was a narrow second in the Group 3 BRC Sprint (1350m).

“He is a quality horse,” Williams said.

“He is maturing and putting things together a lot better now.

“In the winter months I said to Tony, whatever he does now he will improve and he still nearly got into the Stradbroke and he would have been a force.

“If he has come on from that preparation and is good enough to come down to Melbourne or Sydney, then Tony must be really happy with the horse.”

Freedom Rally has been $8 into $5 for the Tramway Stakes where former West Australian weapon Amelia’s Jewel is a $2.60 favourite.

El Morzillo will chase a maiden stakes win in the Furious Stakes. Picture: Grant Peters / Trackside Photography

• ‘Not much between Bella Nipotina, Giga Kick in Concorde’, ratings guru says

He will be the second of two Queensland gallopers that Williams pilots on the afternoon with the Kelly Schweida-trained El Morzillo in the Group 2 $250,000 Furious Stakes (1200m).

Williams has ridden El Morzillo at her past four starts, including a three-run Brisbane Winter Carnival campaign that culminated with a fourth in the Group 1 JJ Atkins Stakes.

“I think she is a high quality filly,” Williams said.

“She will be resuming there on Saturday so I would like to see how she has come back after her break after running well up there at the Brisbane winter carnival.”

El Morzillo is a $12 chance.

Originally published as Jockey Craig Williams reckons Freedom Rally will show he’s a Group 1 galloper this spring