The Freedman brothers duo reclaimed the spotlight in the winner’s stall during day one of The Championships at Randwick, with Profoundly enhancing her Australian Oaks bid via success in the Adrian Knox Stakes.
Under Michael Freedman’s care, the filly who placed in her latest Kembla Grange Classic is jointly owned by brother Lee, a Hall of Fame figure who sourced her for $65,000 at the sales, managed her initial breaking-in, before joining Michael’s Gold Coast operation last July.
“I bought her when I was training for $65,000,” Lee Freedman said.
“Then when I turned it up, I was looking for a good trainer, and my brother rang me.
“I was really happy that the form from Kembla worked out, because a lot of people were saying it was slowly run and it wouldn’t be good form.
“But I just knew that this filly had improvement to come, and we’d never run her over a mile-and-a-quarter. All she wanted to do was stay.”
With Tommy Berry in the saddle, Profoundly at $5 stormed home to win by 2-1/4 lengths from $3 favourite Soverato, Satono Invader ($51) 1-1/4 lengths adrift in third.
Michael Freedman eyes a swift return to Randwick for the Group 1 Oaks (2400m) in seven days with the Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) champion, pending a positive week.
“Why not? I think we’ll be here next week,” Michael Freedman said.
Heightening the win’s appeal is Profoundly’s use of the Freedman family racing colours – red with purple sash, white sleeves, purple cap – immortalised by stars including 1992 Melbourne Cup winner Subzero, 1994 Golden Slipper hero Danzero and 2003 Caulfield Cup winner Mummify.
Berry is set to continue with Profoundly for the Oaks, assured by her breathing and recovery.
“She is a very clean-winded filly. She pulled up lovely then,” Berry said.
“She spends no petrol in the run, and she does it without any effort.”
Profoundly advanced to second in the Australian Oaks betting at $4.50, following New Zealand classic winner Ohope Wins at $2.20.
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