Lee Freedman will weigh up Group 1 options for two-year-old filly Idyllic Affair

Lee Freedman has a couple of Sydney autumn Group 1s in mind for filly Idyllic Affair after her win in the QTIS 2YO Handicap at Doomben against a pair of Tony Gollan favourites.

Idyllic Affair (right) zooms past odds-on favourite Boomshanka to win the QTIS 2YO Handicap at Doomben on Saturday. Picture: Natasha Wood/Trackside Photography

A pair of Melbourne Cup legends combined for a Doomben win which could potentially catapult a raw two-year-old filly into the frame for Sydney spring carnival riches.

Lee Freedman, famed for his feats in winning five Melbourne Cups including two with Makybe Diva, saddled up jockey Michael Rodd, who won the 2007 Melbourne Cup on Efficient, for the ride on young filly Idyllic Affair.

Tony Gollan had the two favourites, unraced rookies Boomshanka ($1.65) and Making News ($4.40), but there has been good support for Idyllic Affair ($6.50 into $5) to topple them.

Idyllic Affair had the benefit of race experience, making her debut when she struggled to keep up but finishing well to be runner-up behind Dushenka at Eagle Farm last month.

Idyllic Affair gets the better of Boomshanka in the Doomben opener! @freedman_leepic.twitter.com/4cEslDj0jI

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 1, 2025

Dushenka had been set to line up as one of the fancies in the QTIS 2YO Handicap (1200m) on Saturday but she was scratched, leaving Idyllic Affair to tangle with the two Gollan fillies.

The Gollan pair controlled the race up front, with Making News leading for home, but Rodd always had them in his sights on Idyllic Affair and ran past Boomshanka in the final stages.

Gold Coast trainer Freedman likes what he sees in the young daughter of 2019 Group 1 JJ Atkins winner Prince Fawaz.

“She is a big strong filly and she has shown us nice ability,” Freedman said.

“She is so relaxed in the stalls, so only wakes up a little bit when the jockey gets on her.

“I don’t even think this is her right trip, she will be better over longer.

“Michael knew what he had underneath him, he didn’t try to win the race until he had to win the race.

“We will give her a break now.

“It would be a short break if we go to Sydney for the (Group 1) Sires’ or the (Group 1) Champagne, or alternatively we will just keep her for some good races in Queensland.”

Idyllic Affair could be set for some Sydney Group 1s in the autumn after breaking her maiden at Doomben on Saturday. Picture: Natasha Wood/Trackside Photography

Rodd said Idyllic Affair was still untapped and whatever she did as a two-year-old, she would be much better in her three-year-old season.

“It’s just the start for her,” Rodd said.

“Lee has a really nice filly on his hands and I’m looking forward to seeing what she can go on to do in the future.”

Gollan was satisfied with his pair, which finished second and third, and said they would benefit greatly from their first race-day experience.

Originally published as Lee Freedman will weigh up Group 1 options for two-year-old filly Idyllic Affair