Change of plans sees Magnatear targeting Shannon Stakes

Richard and Will Freedman had initially anticipated that Magnatear would not feature in the Shannon Stakes this week. However, a recent change of heart means the consistent gelding is now expected to take his place.

The original intention was to give Magnatear another run in the Alan Brown Stakes over 1400 metres before his main goal, the $3 million Big Dance at Randwick on Melbourne Cup day.

Will Freedman explained that the team decided it would be more beneficial to give the seven-year-old an extra race this weekend to ensure he is at his absolute best for the grand final in November.

"We'd hate to be half a run short coming into the Big Dance, so we thought we'd give him an extra run now rather than try to squeeze one in after the Alan Brown if we felt he was slightly underdone," Will Freedman commented. "It will be this one, then the Alan Brown, and then the Big Dance."

Magnatear has been an outstanding performer for the Freedmans since joining their stable just shy of two years ago.

Having qualified for The Big Dance by winning the Muswellbrook Cup (1500m) in March, he made a strong return in the Theo Marks Stakes (1300m), running second to Skyhook in a performance many considered his best.

The gelding boasts seven wins and 15 placings from 32 starts, with earnings exceeding $750,000. Will Freedman described the horse as a vital asset to the stable.

"He's a fine wine. He just gets better," he said. "I was having a conversation with a friend of mine and he said, 'he's so good for your business', and I said, 'no he's actually terrible for my business because if he wasn't around there might have been times I could have gone on to a different career and lived a comfortable life!' He just keeps coming back and he's so honest. If you had a barn full of horses like him you'd be very happy."

Ten horses are set to compete in the Shannon Stakes, with the winner earning a ballot exemption and penalty waiver for the following week's Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick.

Magnatear has secured the inside barrier and has a strong record when second-up, having finished outside the top three only once in five previous attempts.

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