Freedmans rely on Coastwatch at Sandown races

The Richard and Will Freedman stable has made a strategic decision to split their two runners originally accepted for the Listed John Dillon Stakes (1400m) at Sandown this Saturday. While Coastwatch will remain in the Melbourne contest, Elettrica will instead travel north for the Listed Sunshine Coast Cup (1400m).

Elettrica Heads North for an Easier Task

Will Freedman explained that the Sunshine Coast race presents a potentially softer target for Elettrica, who will carry 54.5kg in Queensland.

“She’s in with 54-½ kilos up there, and the other part is if it’s not clearly easier in Melbourne, obviously our horses are used to galloping in the Sydney direction,” Freedman said.

“She’s never been to Melbourne, so she would be a risk. For her, it was only if that race came up particularly weak, and even though it’s a small field, it probably still has a fair bit of quality through it.”

Coastwatch to Represent the Stable in Melbourne

With Elettrica scratched, the John Dillon Stakes field has been reduced to seven runners. Coastwatch, who was initially intended for the now-cancelled Listed Carrington Stakes (1400m) at Randwick, will now fly the flag for the Freedman stable at Sandown.

Freedman revealed that Coastwatch's nomination for the Sandown race was a last-minute decision due to the gelding missing a prior race opportunity.

“He had missed out on a run up here previously, and I thought I can’t have the same mistake twice,” Freedman said.

While Coastwatch’s previous Melbourne campaign in the spring was less than stellar, Freedman believes there were valid excuses.

“He ran well first time down there, albeit a luckless run at Caulfield, and then I thought he just didn’t handle the one-week backup the following week. It was a little bit of pilot error. I’m throwing myself under the bus a bit there, but you live and learn with these horses.”

Coastwatch’s Prospects and Future Targets

Coastwatch, a former Group 2 winner over 1200m at Caulfield when trained by Chris Waller, seems best suited to the 1400m distance of Saturday’s race. Freedman is optimistic about the gelding’s chances, particularly with a favorable barrier and Damian Lane booked for the ride.

Post-Saturday, no immediate plans have been set for Coastwatch, but the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm is on the longer-term radar.

“He’s very much a handicap horse at the moment as his rating isn’t exceptionally high, and he gets a low weight in some nice races,” Freedman said.

“If you were having some real blue sky for a Sydney trainer, we’re probably looking at the Stradbroke if he was able to win, but he’d need to win.”

Both Coastwatch and Elettrica will have plenty to prove this weekend as they embark on their respective campaigns, with their performances likely to dictate future targets.