The “Hail Mary” strategy from trainer Michael Freedman struck gold as his mare Cinsault in tremendous shape notched her initial stakes win in the Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill Gardens last Saturday.
Cinsault, under Godolphin colours, had dominated with three victories from four summer appearances in non-black-type races before being aimed at the headline mares’ feature by Freedman.
“It just goes to show what can happen when you have a mare in form like she is at the moment,” Freedman said.
“On facts and figures, I didn’t think she could beat Lazzura but she is in such a purple patch of form.
“This is a massive jump from a benchmark 78 race to a Group 2 but with a mare going as well as her, sometimes you just have to roll with it.
“I had a good chat with the Godolphin team early in the week and I told them I know this is a bit of a ‘Hail Mary’ but I thought it was worth having a go at some black type with Cinsault.
“Godolphin are very easy to train for and they said we will go with what you think.”
Priced at $6, Cinsault clawed back ground after Lazzura ($2.05 favourite) surged ahead, holding on by a long head as Dark Glitter ($9.50) ended up 2-1/2 lengths adrift in third.
Lazzura looked the probable victor halfway through the run home, but with trainer Chris Waller and jockey James McDonald on the cusp of their 500th mutual winner, Cinsault produced a valiant response to pip the frontrunner.
Schofield earned riding accolades with a treble, boosted by earlier wins on Stretan Ruler in the Silver Slipper Stakes and Starphisticated in the Midway, and praised Cinsault’s display as “very gutsy.”
“She (Cinsault) actually beat me in a ding-dong finish last start and I can see why, she’s very gutsy, she just wants to give you everything she has,” Schofield said.
“There was probably a bit more pace on early than ideal, but we were positioned nicely throughout.
“I waited until we straightened to come off the leader’s back and when Lazzura didn’t put me away early I thought “right, we’re the fit horse, we’ll get you later.” She was the stronger of the two late.”
This result delivered Freedman a stakes treble, following Ninja’s win in the Hobartville Stakes and Pallaton’s in the Zeditave Stakes at Caulfield.
If Cinsault comes through the race in excellent shape, Freedman will contemplate the Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 14.
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