In-form Freedman stable to keep winning momentum rolling
Michael Freedman is confident his stable’s winning momentum can continue as he prepares Ducasse and Colophon for Saturday’s Randwick card.
Following Marhoona’s triumph in the Golden Slipper, Freedman has enjoyed a strong run of form, boasting a 19% metro win rate this season—second only to Bjorn Baker among Sydney’s top trainers.
“It has been terrific. The horses at all levels have been racing very consistently,” Freedman said.
“That’s all you can ask for as a trainer, that wherever you’re placing them, whether its country, provincial or Group class racing, that they can run consistently.
“We’ve had a really good autumn. Hopefully we can start to build again into the spring and get a few new babies up and going as well.”
Ducasse returns to Sydney for the Precise Air Handicap (1500m) after placing in the Doncaster Prelude. He was withdrawn from a Brisbane assignment after drawing wide.
“His run in the Doncaster Prelude was really good and he seems to have trained on well from there,” Freedman said.
“Obviously, Randwick is a track he seems to enjoy and the 1500 with a bit of give in the ground should suit. The good draw should also allow (apprentice) Zac (Wadick) to put him in a nice spot.”
Ducasse will now be aimed toward the Scone Cup (1600m), a qualifying race for the Big Dance, after missing out on the Doncaster Mile.
Colophon, who impressed with a dominant win at Kembla Grange last time out, steps up to city class and Freedman is hopeful he can rise to the occasion.
“While it was only a benchmark 64 last start and Saturday is a different sort of set up, he’s a horse I’ve always had a nice enough opinion of and he is still improving,” Freedman said.
“He may even earn himself a trip to Queensland for something if he can run well.”
More Racing News
War Machine to target the 2026 Australia Stakes
Top-class sprinter War Machine will resume in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham on Friday night as connections eye a strong autumn campaign. The race, traditionally held at Moonee Valley, has been moved due to redevelopment works and shapes as an ideal launchpad for the Lindsay Park galloper. War Machine...
2026 Golden Slipper Stakes favourite Incognito nearing return to the races
The absence of Incognito from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic did little to dent his standing in Golden Slipper markets, with the colt edging closer to a raceday return. Michael Freedman elected to sidestep the Gold Coast feature with the $1 million purchase, instead opting for a controlled trial as the...
Antino to target 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the Autumn
A strong trial session at Deagon on Tuesday will be highlighted by the return of Antino as Tony Gollan begins plotting another autumn campaign for the talented gelding. Antino has not raced since his disappointing effort in the Group 1 Cox Plate, where he finished last after failing to fire on...
Torque To Be Sure breaks maiden in 2026 Magic Millions Guineas, survives protest
Torque To Be Sure finally lived up to his promise with a breakthrough victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas, though his success came with a nervous wait in the stewards’ room. The Matthew Dunn-trained gelding drifted under pressure in the closing stages, bumping race favourite Ninja as the...
Unit Five powers home in the 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Unit Five announced himself as a rising star with a powerful victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, overcoming far more seasoned rivals despite limited race experience. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt, ridden confidently by Thomas Stockdale, held off Tornado Valley by a length, with By Choice finishing just behind...
Mile no issue for Merrigold in 2026 Vobis Gold Distaff
Trainer John Sadler admitted a touch of stubbornness delayed Merrigold’s step up to 1600 metres, but the mare made him look wise with a dominant Flemington victory. The five-year-old was having her first start beyond 1400 metres and handled the rise in distance with ease when taking out the Vobis Gold...
Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 plans for Godolphin’s Outspan
The Godolphin-trained Outspan has thrust himself into Golden Slipper calculations after a commanding win at Rosehill on Saturday. After settling just behind the speed in the 1100m contest, the Michael Freedman-trained colt finished strongly to defeat Long Throw ($15) by 1-1/2 lengths, with Miss Chanel ($4.60) another half-length back. The performance marked...
Big Sky surges into 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes calculations
Big Sky’s dominant debut at Flemington has propelled him straight into calculations for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), giving Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr the top two runners in early betting. The Bivouac colt overcame a wide draw in the TAB We’re On (1000m), travelling strongly under Jordan...
Future History too strong in the 2026 January Cup
Future History showed his class and toughness when landing the $200,000 Listed January Cup at Rosehill, giving Ciaron Maher another feature race success. The eight-year-old almost didn’t take his place in the race after heavy rain downgraded the track, but connections elected to press on despite concerns about the conditions. Ridden positively...
Mile test for Harry’s Yacht in 2026 Vobis Gold Reef
Will Larkin is confident the timing is right to test Harry’s Yacht over the mile when the gelding contests Saturday’s Vobis Gold Reef at Flemington. The four-year-old has enjoyed a strong preparation to date, registering two wins at benchmark level and adding two placings in Vobis races over 1200 metres. Training in...