Will Freedman is already thinking ahead to what he’ll tell the ownership group of Ang Pow before Saturday’s $200,000 Bob Charley Stakes at Randwick.

The consistent sprinter, trained in partnership with Freedman’s father Richard at Rosehill, has repeatedly defied expectations, often extending his time in the stable just when it looked like the curtain might fall on his career.

Now six years old, the son of Flying Artie heads into the 1100m Listed feature with a sharp trial under his belt and a familiar message from his trainer looming once again.

“I always tell the owners he’s on his last legs and then he keeps paying for his box,” Freedman joked.

“So, I’m inclined to say he’s on his last legs again and he might continue that form.

“He’s a fragile horse and the owners know his issues, but every time I doubt him he puts in another big run.

“It’s a shame he’s been littered with so many problems over this career, because if he was straight-forward he would have been a very high-quality animal, but that’s racing I guess.”

Ang Pow returns to racing after a break since his fourth-place finish at Randwick on January 4 behind Accredited. That run came after he won in benchmark 100 company, one of seven victories from his 22 career starts.

He’s shown ability when fresh, having posted two wins first-up, and a strong recent trial at Rosehill on May 29 has convinced connections to take a shot at black type level.

“He just trialled up really nicely the last couple of starts,” Freedman said.

“He’ll have no weight on his back and I think he’d be a reasonable chance in a race like that.”

Ang Pow is among 24 horses entered for the Bob Charley Stakes, with potential rivals including Front Page, Brudenell, A Little Deep, Barber and In Flight.