Trainer Freedman gets his Big Dance shoes on at Royal Randwick as Ducasse wins Wild Card

Trainer Michael Freedman set a date with the first Tuesday in November when Ducasse booked his ticket to the Big Dance at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Trainer Michael Freedman set a date with the first Tuesday in November when Ducasse booked his ticket to the Big Dance at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Ducasse had to do things the hard way but was still too good as he hit the front late to prevail in the $160,000 Big Dance Wild Card (1600m).

It was his first win since his Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes triumph over the same track and trip on day one of The Championships.

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“Ducasse has been a bit frustrating with barrier draws,” Freedman said.

“He hasn’t been able to draw a gate since he won the Carbine here back in the autumn.”

“I think he has been sort of wreaked with bad luck but once he’d drawn an alley today, I think the mile here at Randwick is his perfect distance.

“He’s a good horse on his day and I think maybe a touch off the track suited him too.”

A great battle between Ducasse and Vivy Air in the Big Dance Wild Card, with Ducasse victorious!

Both are now through to the Big Dance in a few weeks! 💃@MFreedmanRacing | @ZacLloydx | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/unqhpvLVeR

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 19, 2024

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Apprentice Zac Lloyd had Ducasse ridden with cover early but had the entire travelling in the three wide line midway through the race as Berkshire Shadow set the tempo.

Ducasse ($3.40 fav) went through his gears down closer to the middle of the track as the Ciaron Maher-trained Vivy Air ($7.50) made her run near the fence.

The son of Trapeze Artist edged out the runner up by a long head while Maher’s Chorlton Lane ($7.50) was 2-1/2 lengths away in third.

“Myself and Michael both thought that once we got stuck into it, he would think about it but he was tenacious today and the closer he got to Vivy Air, the more I felt him length underneath me so I’m very pleased to get that win,” Lloyd said.

Ducasse is a $15 chance in the Big Dance on November 5 at Royal Randwick.

Freedman could chase a string of feature races with Ducasse late in the carnival with the Group 3 $1 million The Gong and Group 2 $2 million The Ingham in December.

Originally published as Trainer Freedman gets his Big Dance shoes on at Royal Randwick as Ducasse wins Wild Card