Freedmans Fashion on show in Fred Best Classic
The gelding will take his place in Saturday's Fred Best Classic (1400m) at Eagle Farm where the winner will be granted a ballot exemption from the Group 1 Stradbroke.
Fashion Legend heads there off a slightly disappointing effort in the Takeover Target Stakes where he finished eighth and just over 3-1/2 lengths from winner Think About It to continue a plain first-up record.
"It was less than we'd expected because we'd thought he was more forward," Will Freedman said.
"A little bit of that is our training style as well. We don't usually have horses ready to win first-up, they probably enjoy having a run under their belt.
"When you have a horse that is probably prone to needing a first run themselves naturally, you compound that with the fact we don't push them too far for their first-up run, and you have a perfect storm where they're going to have a bit of a flat run first-up.
"We're not too concerned at this point, but we do want to see him bounce back on Saturday."
While Fashion Legend has an average first-up record, he is unbeaten in two second-up runs and is proven over Saturday's 1400m journey having downed Fred Best Classic favourite Yellow Brick in the Magic Millions Guineas in January.
He overcame barrier 14 of 15 that day and again has a sticky gate in 11 of 17 but Freedman is looking on the bright side.
"He likes to dictate himself when he starts rolling and getting to his top," Freedman said.
"At least he's going to have plenty of room and there's speed outside him as well.
"Hopefully we can get into a three-wide cover line and he can peel out and have his chance."
Fashion Legend is a $26 chance for the Fred Best Classic and $34 for the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) on June 10, while longer-term the team has Golden Eagle ambitions.
Freedman is also looking for a form rebound from Group 3 winning mare Juan Diva in the Listed Helen Coughlan Stakes (1200m) in a run likely to determine her immediate future.
"We're expecting some improvement and if that happens she'll keep going, if it doesn't she'll be a very valuable broodmare proposition for Trelawney Stud," he said.
More Racing News
Concord Connie eyes Victorian Group 1 success
Charlotte Littlefield, the Pakenham-based trainer, is opting against chasing substantial prize money in interstate races with Concord Connie, focusing instead on securing a Group 1 win within Victoria.The exciting mare, Concord Connie, has undergone four weeks of preparation and is being readied for her return, with the Group 1 Empire...
Midnight Dynamite's Path to the Big Dance After Rosehill Win
Connections of Midnight Dynamite are keen to see the horse contest a $3 million prize following his commanding performance in the Winter Challenge at Rosehill.Having added Saturday's stakes race to his triumph in last month's Listed Civic Stakes (1400m), the gelding is now slated for the Coffs Harbour Cup (1600m)...
Bold Soul's future may be over jumps after Flemington success
Connections have found Bold Soul, trained by Patrick Payne, to be a good earner on the flat, but his future might be better suited to hurdles.Bold Soul secured the Deane Lester Flemington Cup 1849 (2800m) at Flemington on Saturday, adding to his seven prior wins from 33 starts and boosting...
Sword Of Legacy's determined win follows Band Of Brothers' Ramornie success
Matthew Dunn's stable has enjoyed a prosperous week, capped by Sword Of Legacy's hard-fought victory at Rosehill. This triumph arrived just three days after Band Of Brothers, carrying the same lime, purple, and gold Hesket Thoroughbreds silks of David Moodie, captured the Ramornie Handicap at Grafton.Sword Of Legacy, sent out...
Ko Phangan claims Byerley Handicap at Flemington
The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young stable continues its impressive run in qualifying races for Classic contenders with Ko Phangan's recent victory at Flemington.Ko Phangan's win in the Byerley Handicap (1800m) secures a coveted ballot exemption for either the Victoria Derby (2500m) or the VRC Oaks (2500m) during the Melbourne...
Joint Venture earns carnival ticket with Rosehill triumph
A late-developing two-year-old, Joint Venture, is now in contention for the initial three-year-old feature races after securing a crucial win at Rosehill.The impeccably bred son of I Am Invincible, a $625,000 yearling acquisition for the Newgate stallions syndicate, displayed significant progress from his debut second at Wyong, asserting his class...
Betwitchery ready to extend winning streak first-up
Betwitchery is set to extend her winning sequence as she makes her return to the racetrack at Flemington.The Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin-trained mare is scheduled to begin her new racing campaign in the VRC Member Brendan Sobozynski Plate, a 1200-metre contest, this Saturday.Betwitchery, who has won five...
Littlefield targets Magnolia Cup after Flemington engagements
Trainer Charlotte Littlefield is scheduled to travel back to the UK in approximately a week to participate in a charity race at the renowned Glorious Goodwood Festival.The Magnolia Cup is a distinguished charity event this year supporting Education Above All. It aims to gather funds to ensure access to education,...
General Salute set for Winter Challenge under favourable wet conditions
The arrival of overnight rain has alleviated Sterling Alexiou's primary concern regarding General Salute's prospects in the final black-type race of the Sydney season, following his recent victory in the Winter Stakes.All four of the gelding's previous wins have been recorded on rain-affected tracks. Earlier in the week, with Rosehill...
Burning Heartz set for Adelaide Stakes test
Trainer Gavin Bedggood envisions a future for Burning Heartz in an Oaks race, but his immediate goal is to secure some valuable Stakes black type for the filly.Burning Heartz, a winner on debut at Sandown on July 1, is now heading to Adelaide to contest the Group 3 South Australian...