Freedman's juvenile talent Shraddha shines in Gimcrack Stakes

Michael Freedman's celebrated skill with two-year-olds was once again on full display at Randwick as Shraddha made light work of the Gimcrack Stakes, prompting the trainer to draw favourable comparisons with Manaal.

Manaal herself triumphed in the corresponding event three years ago, subsequently claiming the Group 1 ATC Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) during the autumn, and added a further three black-type victories post her juvenile season.

Freedman also boasts a record of two wins in the past six Golden Slippers with Marhoona (2025) and Stay Inside (2021), the latter prepared in partnership with his brother Richard. He, however, chuckled when suggestions of a secret formula for juveniles were raised.

"I love working with them. I don't know that there is any secret sauce," Freedman commented.

"You just work with them and the ones that look like they'll go early will tell you, and the ones that don't will tell you the same way."

"Funnily enough, I said to my foreman this morning, she reminds me a lot of Manaal. She has a really good turn of foot, which Manaal did too, and I think she has a bright future."

The progeny of Ole Dancer, Shraddha, a $250,000 Magic Millions yearling acquisition, had previously led throughout to win her 850m heat at the official two-year-old trials in the preceding month.

Nonetheless, Freedman had instructed jockey Tommy Berry to adopt a sit-and-sprint strategy in Saturday's Gimcrack Stakes (1000m). This approach nearly proved too conservative as the filly was compelled to find a narrow opening to execute her winning surge.

"There wasn't much of a gap there at the top of the straight, but she put herself into it and won with authority," Berry remarked.

"She hit the front at the 300 metres and had her ears pricked the whole way down the straight."

"When the opposition gets better, she will get better."

Freedman also saddled the colt Capitano, who secured second place behind Flying Houdini in the Breeders' Plate (1000m) for the colts. He stated that the recovery of both youngsters from their respective efforts would dictate future plans.

However, his initial inclination is to grant Capitano a brief respite before targeting the Magic Millions Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast in January, whilst spelling Shraddha for a potential autumn carnival campaign.

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