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Freedmans Out To Continue Fabulous Two-Year-Old Run

3 minute read

While Golden Slipper winning trainers Michael and Richard Freedman mull over their next move with Stay Inside, they’re set to produce another two-year-old colt by Extreme Choice at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.

Trainer : SAM FREEDMAN. Picture: Colin Bull / Sportpix

Fabulous Choice, a $260,000 yearling, steps out in the Yarraman Park Easter Yearlings Handicap (1200m) and Michael and Richard Freedman said the similarities with Stay Inside end with their shared sire.

"He's a different type of two-year-old to Stay Inside,'' Freedman said.

"He's been a slow learner and because he's been a slow learner he has the blinkers on for his first start.

"I wouldn't normally give a two-year-old three trials but we wanted to get him qualified to wear the blinkers."

The colt is out of French Fern, who was a smart youngster in her own right winning the Group 2 Reisling Stakes in 2016 before finishing unplaced in Capitalist's Golden Slipper. Ironically, Extreme Choice was also in that Slipper field, finishing eighth.

Freedman was pleased with Fabulous Choice's latest trial, where he ran out a half length winner at Randwick on March 11, and is open to giving him a look at better races in the coming months if he measures up.

He does hold a nomination for the Group 1 $1m Inglis Sires' (1400m) on Saturday week.

"The draw isn't much chop but there are very few options for two-year-olds at that distance without taking on the better ones,'' he said.

"He's a nice horse, he's not a natural two-year-old but if he can run well we might look at something in Brisbane for him."

The Freedman partnership already has Tiger Of Malay, last start runner-up in the Pago Pago Stakes on March 13, locked in for the Sires' and there's a good chance Stay Inside will join him after pulling up well from his famous Slipper win.

Freedman said Stay Inside lost 4-5 kilograms in winning the Slipper, which is normal, and all indications are good for his carnival to continue.

"We are certainly giving it good consideration,'' he said.

"We'll keep him in the stable and have a good look at him later in the week. The best way you can tell (how much a run takes out of them) is in the feed bin and he hasn't left an oat since Saturday."

The last Golden Slipper winner to back up and take out the Inglis Sires' was Pierro in 2012.

Stay Inside was $4 equal favourite with Slipper runner-up Anamoe in TAB's all-in market on the Sires' at Randwick on April 10, Artorius ($6) is on the third line. Tiger Of Malay was an $11 chance.