3 minute read

Scone trainer Will Freedman will have two throws at the stumps in this weekend’s Highway at Randwick

He has only been training on his own for just over 12 months but Scone-based trainer Will Freedman is building up a handy stable of both horses and owners alike, and will present a strong hand in the Highway Handicap at Royal Randwick this Saturday. 

Freedman will be represented by two runners, Celestial Doll and Mr Burgundy, both of which come into the event in solid form. 

Celestial Doll was only just narrowly beaten at Dubbo two starts back, before not being disgraced in a Rosehill Highway on an unsuitable Heavy surface last time out, and Freedman believes she is ready to put her best hoof forward.

"I think on her best form she is up to this," Freedman said. 

"She puts herself right in the race and takes luck out of the equation. She's probably looking for the 1400m now.

"She'll be ridden by Andrew Atkins so she'll get every chance." 

Freedman's other runner Mr Burgundy is having just his third race start, on the back of a solid Gosford maiden victory three weeks ago. 

The Super One three-year-old still has a lot to learn and Freedman thinks there is more in the locker. 

"Mr Burgundy has plenty of upside, he's racing very greenly and doesn't really know what he's here to do just yet. He's been racing on raw ability alone," Freedman said. 

"This will be his last run of the prep and then he'll get a good break. I'd say next prep you'll see an even better horse." 

If you scan through the ownership of Mr Burgundy you'll see a name familiar to listeners of Sky Sports Radio, Dave Stanley. Stanley has also experienced some luck previously racing six-time winner On The White Turf with Freedman's father Richard. 

"He's had a pretty blessed run of horse ownership has Dave," Freedman said. 

"I think he's doing an event on the weekend at Bathurst and I feel deep down he's been trying to steer me away from the Highway just so he can attend somewhere.

"He's a good person for racing though, no one ever says a bad word about him." 

As to which of his runners he is leaning towards, Freedman is having a hard time trying to split them. 

"If you were basing it off track work alone, Mr Burgundy would have a couple of lengths on Celestial Doll," Freedman said. 

"But Celestial Doll is a more seasoned campaigner. Both will get their chance on Saturday."