Freedman two-year-olds set for Caulfield clash

The Anthony and Sam Freedman stable is not running scared by the presence of last start impressive Caulfield winner Stanley Express.

The father-and-son training team will offer up two opponents to the Clinton Mcdonald-trained Stanley Express – Sociable and Tropicus – in the Catanach’s Jewellers Handicap (1100m) on Saturday.

Stanley Express won The Showdown (1200m) at Caulfield on April 27 at his debut and looked impressive in the process.

But Sam Freedman is wary of the form from The Showdown having won the race previously with King’s Consort in 2022.

“He has a big weight and won The Showdown, but we won The Showdown, and that horse has never won a race since,” Freedman said.

“So, I wouldn’t be shying away from it.”

Sociable is lining up for his second race start having finished fourth to Stanley Express’ stablemate Angel Capital on debut at Cranbourne, the night prior to The Showdown.

Freedman said Sociable arguably should have finished second that night after striking trouble.

“It was a hard watch on debut. He ran a super race behind that good horse,” Freedman said.

“I think he would have run a clear second, in which case you would be coming to this race thinking you’re a good chance.

“He’s got a tricky gate, but he’s pretty nice horse that will get better as time goes on.”

Stablemate Tropicus is a son of Too Darn Hot that is on debut.

Freedman said the two-year-old may already be looking for a shade further than the 1100m journey he is facing on Saturday.

“He’s trialled well on a few occasions, but it’s a tough race to be making your debut in,” Freedman said.

“It’s on a nice track and a nice trip to be running him over and I think he should go there and run well, but he may already want 1200 metres.

“So, we’ll see how we go.”