3 minute read
Will Freedman with an airborne family recruitment in Celestial Doll ($3 favourite on TAB) can add Friday’s TAB Walcha Cup to his resume after winning the prestige Dubbo Gold Cup in his first training season in 2020.
And a relief for all is a respite in the weather with the track upgraded to a Soft 7 from a Heavy 8.
The Elder's $45,000 over 1440m feature on the opening card of the two-day carnival has typically attracted a capacity field and the strongest regional stables from far and wide.
Will's four-year-old mare Celestial Doll, favourite in a wide betting race, ran a track record winning a Parkes Open after previously scoring a tremendous win in a Glen Innes Class 2 under adversity.
And vitally Celestial Doll has strong wet form.
The Star Witness mare has a middle draw with 55kg for in-form Matthew Palmer and drops 2kg from her winning double.
Celestial Doll is another capable lower-tiered galloper passed on to Will by his father Richard and uncle Michael from their Rosehill stables after two provincial wins however not deemed city grade.
Will's Dubbo Gold Cup winner Zaunkonig was also sent from the Golden Slipper-winning brothers.
"This mare has wet track form she's going just super, and mares invariably hold form," Will offered.
"She's getting towards the end of her prep and up in grade, but the Glen Innes win was outstanding, confidence builder and she backed it up with another dominant win at Parkes and the time was there.
"She can race on-pace at what can be a tricky track, and we've got a weight drop."
At Glen Innes she was drawn out, trapped wide, collided heavily and still recovered to win by three plus lengths when favourite. Hence the heavy support to see her backed into $1.50 at Parkes.
A handy draw is crucial at tight and turning Walcha with just under 1600m circumference and 200m run home.
Will is upping the ante in just his third training season at Scone. He has won 17 races in the new season; his stable numbers are increasing and he won his initial city race at Royal Randwick last February with Birdonawinningpost.
