Golden Pendant presents opportunity for Apocalyptic

Trainer Michael Freedman is optimistic that Apocalyptic can return to the winner's enclosure on Saturday, despite her last win occurring in last year's Group 1 Flight Stakes.

The four-year-old daughter of Extreme Choice is set to compete over 1400 metres for the first time this campaign in the Group 2 Golden Pendant at Rosehill.

This $300,000 race marks Apocalyptic's third outing this preparation, following a promising first-up third in the Group 3 Toy Show Quality (1100m) and a subsequent fifth in the Group 2 Sheraco Stakes (1200m) on September 12.

In the Sheraco Stakes, Apocalyptic recorded her lowest finishing position to date, displaying a tendency to race ungenerously in the home straight, which hampered jockey Tommy Berry. Freedman believes that veterinary attention and the introduction of a tongue tie will aid her in reaching her potential.

"She just wanted to hang in the straight a bit, which cost Tommy being able to actually ride her out properly," Freedman explained regarding the Sheraco Stakes. "So, we've done a little bit of work with the physio and we'll probably try her in a slightly different bit. It was just a bit frustrating that she really only straightened up the last 50 or 100 metres and she really hit the line strongly."

"Hopefully, if we can prevent her doing that again on Saturday, we can see the real her. But she seems to be going as well as she was 12 months ago and I think the 1400 is probably a better tempo for her."

Apocalyptic is seeking her fourth career victory from ten starts. Her record includes a narrow second in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) and Group 2 wins in the Furious Stakes (1200m) and Tea Rose Stakes (1400m).

Freedman will use Apocalyptic's performance at Rosehill to help decide her future racing plans, with the mare boasting a large and enthusiastic ownership group via MyRacehorse.

"We're just keeping a pretty open mind at this stage," Freedman commented. "There are a lot of those nice mares' races around, you've got The Invitation later in the spring, but we're just taking it one run at a time at the moment."

Apocalyptic is set to start from barrier two in the nine-horse field, which includes the Group 1 winner Lazzura.

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