The Richard and Will Freedman-trained gelding, Cold Brew, was the focus of a vociferous group of owners who made their presence felt throughout and after the race, as their charge continued his impressive run of form.
Top jockey Chad Schofield, the rider of Cold Brew, acknowledged the boisterous ownership group with his whip as he returned the horse to the winner’s stall.
“I could hear the crowd at the 400m,” Schofield said. “But that’s great for racing, they are cheering for their horse so good on them.
“He wasn’t hanging today and as soon as he swapped his lead (leg) he went straight. It was a very impressive win.”
Cold Brew ($4.80), while still displaying some inconsistencies in his racing, possesses abundant talent, as seen in his strong finish to win by half a length from The Creator ($10). Seven’s ($4.60 favourite) finished closely in third.
Will Freedman was holding court with the media post-race and had to pause his interview momentarily when his owners broke out in a loud “Cold Brew, Cold Brew” chant.
“This is what racing is all about,” Freedman said. “They have all got a small slice of Cold Brew and now he has won two in a row for them.
“To the horse’s credit, he keeps getting better and better, he just wins.
“I said to the owners before the race if he can win today, on the back of winning a (benchmark) 72 Midway and then coming to a 78, then you have a pretty good horse.”
A son of the former champion Pierro, Cold Brew recorded three successive victories last winter but required an extended break due to injury. His ownership changed hands during this period, and he has returned with two wins from his three starts this campaign.
“I think he might be up to low grade stakes level but there is a (benchmark) 88 before we get there,” Freedman said.
“He will keep getting better as he is very inexperienced but I think he will get 2000m in time.
“He has won five of his last six starts, not many horses can do that, so it is exciting for everyone involved.”
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