Michael Freedman joins others in scrutinising Randwick’s track rating before Apocalyptic takes on Tempted during the Surround Stakes.

The Group 1 filly triumph winner will start irrespective, but Freedman admits his belief would lessen if deterioration exceeds Friday’s soft 7 substantially.

“I’m looking forward to seeing her back there. I am just keeping an eye on the weather,” Freedman said.

“Anything in the soft range would be OK, but if we got into that heavy range it may change things a wee bit.

“You probably can’t not run because she has never been on heavy. But I get the feeling she wouldn’t want it too wet.”

Last spring’s three-time Princess Series conqueror Apocalyptic resumed odds-on but trailed Savvy Hallie home second in the Light Fingers Stakes (1200m).

Freedman considered the run “good enough” in a race suited to leaders, with the three-year-old thriving in the interim.

Savvy Hallie and Tempted oppose again in the Surround Stakes (1400m), unverified at the trip.

However, the trainer highlights strengths in both, aligning with punter preference for $1.60 market leader Tempted’s recent races.

“I know a few people have queried Tempted at 14 (1400 metres), but to my eye she looks like she’d run it out pretty solidly,” he said.

“She’s run second in an Everest and was obviously impressive first-up. She’s the one that’s got the really good from going into it.”

Unconvinced Apocalyptic relishes deep mud, Freedman trusts Manaal fully for the Guy Walter Stakes (1400m), boasting three wins from five on soft/heavy.

Runner-up fresh in the Triscay Stakes (1200m), she rates prominently at Randwick weight-wise.

“She’s a terrific mare. She’s always thereabouts,” Freedman said.

“She has a slightly tougher draw than what she’s had the last few, but if we do get a bit of rain and the track is genuinely soft, it might offset that.”

Hardanger represents in the Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m), a robust filly due to fire, as Freedman mulls Outspan’s wide berth in the Skyline Stakes (1200m) or deferral to the Black Opal Stakes (1200m) at Canberra soon.

“It was a pretty ordinary set up for him two weeks ago, unfortunately, and it doesn’t look much better for him this week if we don’t get a lot of scratchings,” Freedman said.

Punters should check the betting sites for Surround Stakes specials this weekend.