Redzel still a major mountain to climb in TJ Smith, warns Freedman
He could jump at his longest price in almost two years, but a man who holds two aces in his TJ Smith Stakes deck has warned Redzel looms as a major threat in the feature sprint of The Championships.
Anthony Freedman's son Sam, who helps put the polish on classy speedsters Santa Ana Lane and Shoals, has given a glowing endorsement of two-time The Everest hero Redzel repeating his feats from spring.
Redzel was being shopped as a $8.50 chance with BetEasy on Thursday, giving legitimate rise to his starting at a price not seen for almost two years.
The rainy conditions which prevailed in Sydney on Thursday will only fuel hopes Redzel can swell his career earnings to almost $17 million.
"I think Osborne Bulls was very good in the Newmarket and if it gets to heavy it's hard to go past Redzel," Sam Freedman said.
They know how to get their horses ready on the day so he'll be a big threat
Sam Freedman
"I know he was plain last start, but similarly before The Everest he was pretty ordinary beforehand in the Premiere and he came out and won [the big one]. They know how to get their horses ready on the day so he'll be a big threat.
"I dare say Osborne Bulls and Redzel will be the biggest worries."
The Freedmans have prepared two of the most underrated horses in the country over the past couple of years, picking up a swag of group 1s, but still probably haven't received the credit they arguably deserve.
But Shoals could potentially put an exclamation mark on her career and Santa Ana Lane could add to his resume before an international campaign in the richest open age sprint in Australia outside of The Everest.
"They don't need any sort of media attention," Freedman said. "Our stable knows they're good horses and their owners know that they're good horses. They've won good races and won good prizemoney. Shoals has got an amazing pedigree and being a three-time group 1 winner she's worth anything with a family like hers."
Shoals started favourite in last year's The Everest on a bog track, but struggled in the going as Santa Ana Lane also laboured on the bottomless surface.
"It was the grand final and you hope to turn up on an even playing field with nice conditions, but it's up to the weather gods a lot of time," Freedman said.
"I remember the downpour between the Consolation [Sydney Stakes] and The Everest. You're hopeful they will get through it, but that day it was bottomless. They were both slow away and it took a little bit of sting out of them after the run.
"A [Soft] 6 or 7 would be perfect for our horses, but any wetter than that it plays into the hands of wet trackers. A bit of give would be perfect. Both horses have won on heavy before, but they [don't relish]."
VRC Spint winner Santa Ana Lane was rated a $7 chance with BetEasy, shading Shoals ($11) in early markets. Canterbury Stakes winner Trapeze Artist ($4.20) topped Osborne Bulls ($4.60) for early favouritism.