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Newly-crowned Singapore champion trainer Lee Freedman is banking on his two-pronged attack in Friday’s $70,000 Kranji Stakes C race over 1400m to kickstart his 2019 season.
The Australian Hall of Fame trainer, who has yet to open his 2019 account at two Kranji meetings thus far, saddles impressive debut winner Heliosphere and well-esteemed newcomer Sun Marshal in the race.
While he hopes Heliosphere can frank the winning form shown in a Class 4 Premier race over 1200m on December 2 as he goes up against superior rivals, he is expecting Sun Marshal, Macau businessman Mr Cheng Ting Kong’s former Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained four-year-old son of Sepoy to be highly competitive in such company even at his first Kranji run.
“Heliosphere is a promising horse. The 1400m will suit him better,” said Freedman of the China Horse Club-owned galloper.
“It’s a strong little race for a Kranji Stakes C race where I also have a new runner for Mr Cheng, Sun Marshal.
“It’ll be a good test for Heliosphere. He’s come on nicely and will appreciate going on turf this time around.
“He missed his 3YO campaign because of injury back home (Australia). We would like to set him for the Derby, that’s the idea.
“He ran up to 1600m in Australia and won (on heavy track at Warwick Farm). He should get 1800m, but the proof of the pudding is in the eating.
“One would assume he is more likely to get it.”
Unplaced in the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2200m) at his last start in June when known as Han Xin before being shipped to Singapore, Sun Marshal may be another potential Derby runner for Freedman.
“I’ve had Sun Marshal for around four months. He’s done very well since he’s been here,” he said.
“He ran third in a 1 ½ mile race in Caulfield, second in the (Group 3) Grand Prix (2200m) in Brisbane and then ran unplaced in the Queensland Derby.
“He’s got a bit of quality about him. He is by Sepoy, but surprisingly he is a stayer.
“On his Australian form, that seems to be the way he should be trained. Mr Cheng loves this horse.”
Freedman launches another Sun Bloodstock runner on Friday, Sun Ace, with both benefitting from the able hands of two-time Singapore champion jockey Vlad Duric.
“Sun Ace runs in the Class 4 race. He’s by Street Cry and has worked well,” said Freedman.
“Vlad rides both of Mr Cheng’s newcomers. He will get his moment in the sun!”