Genesis Runner's bold Gloaming Stakes back-up plan

Following a heart-stopping, narrow defeat in the Dulcify Stakes, co-trainer Will Freedman is banking on a seven-day turnaround to unlock the potential of talented colt Genesis Runner.

The three-year-old was beaten by a mere short half-head by Wonka. Both will contest Saturday's Gloaming Stakes (1800m) at Rosehill, with the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) a fortnight later as their subsequent target.

Freedman admitted he would have preferred to be heading into the weekend with a recent stakes victory, but he is buoyed by the colt's swift recovery from his last outing.

"It's frustrating, but onto the next," Freedman said regarding the Dulcify loss. "Your hand is slightly forced because the alternative is to go three weeks between runs, and then go up four hundred metres (in distance). If you feel like you've got an athletic horse that doesn't need the run then great, you can wait the three weeks. But for a horse like him that needs a bit of racing to hit peak fitness, the back-up was a pretty straightforward answer, and the fact he pulled up so well and was bucking and carrying on Monday morning sealed the deal."

This Saturday will see Genesis Runner race for the first time on a seven-day break. Freedman is hopeful that this strategy will prove effective for the colt, who is described as a "gross-doing" type.

A minor equipment change has been implemented, with visors replacing blinkers, following advice from jockey Chad Schofield.

"Chad felt, with the blinkers, he lost sight of the bunny a little bit and gave Wonka the ability to then go ahead, and he kicked late again," Freedman elaborated. "It's just to give him that slight bit of visibility so he doesn't switch off in thinking his job is done."

With Concrete Storm withdrawn, the Gloaming Stakes (1800m) will feature 11 runners. Unbeaten filly Proxima Dea is the $4 favourite, aiming to follow in the footsteps of Constant Flight, who won the race in 1993.

Genesis Runner is well-supported in early markets, priced at $4.60.

In the last 30 years, nine horses have successfully completed the Gloaming-Spring Champion Stakes double, with El Castello achieving the feat in 2024.

Magnatear, another stablemate, is slated to compete in the Alan Brown Stakes (1400m), serving as his final lead-up to The Big Dance (1600m) on Melbourne Cup day.

"He likes Rosehill, so he'll roll forward and do his thing. He's as genuine as they come, but it's a hot field," Freedman commented. "He'll have two-and-a-half weeks into the Big Dance. This is a $1.5 million race, it's not taken lightly, but I think he'll be better with another run under his belt and then he should be ready to fire."

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