In pursuit of yet another elite-level sprint score, Anthony and Sam Freedman send Tropicus and Point Barrow into the Oakleigh Plate.
This Saturday’s 1100m feature provides the autumn benchmark test at Caulfield for the handicappers, akin to Tentyris who took out last week’s Black Caviar Lightning in similar first-up fashion, a scenario both horses replicate.
Tropicus’s most recent appearance was a sixth to Giga Kick in the Group 1 Champions Sprint (1200m) on Melbourne Cup week‘s last day, while Point Barrow emerged victorious in the Group 3 Red Roses Stakes (1200m) at Flemington come Oaks Day before her break.
Sam Freedman confirmed the sprinters’ preparations have been textbook for the return bout, differing in pattern from their fellow stable runner.
Point Barrow boasts two recent jump-outs, the freshest at Balnarring January 28 with Jamie Melham in the irons, set to retain the ride at Caulfield for her initial proper hit-out.
“She’s had a great prep so far,” Freedman said.
“She’s ready to run a really good race and just needs a bit of luck.
“She’s a bit like Tentyris, she sits back and has that powerful finish, and hopefully it’s a similar result.”
Tropicus dominated his opening trial at Mornington last month and followed with a close second on January 22, just shading Tentyris there too.
Suitable for his Caulfield record and the first-up 1100m trip, the Oakleigh Plate appeals strongly for Tropicus, Freedman believes.
He had held command until the closing stages two back in October’s Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield before Giga Kick prevailed.
“He’s got a great Caulfield record, and 1100 metres first-up suits him,” Freedman said.
“Tactically for him, it’s better as he’ll be on the speed, but I just don’t know what weight he’ll get.
“I thought he might get 52 (kilos) in a normal year, but it looks like he might be up around the 56 mark which will mark it a hard weight for him to carry, but he’ll take luck out of it by being up there.”
The betting markets for the race are heating up with plenty of value on offer for the Oakleigh Plate.
The post Freedmans in search of another G1 sprint first appeared on Just Horse Racing.