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By Ray Hickson

Trainer Michael Freedman describes promising galloper House Of Cards as a work in progress and is hoping to learn more about his limits at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.

Trainer Michael Freedman

The lightly raced four-year-old impressed Freedman with his first-up win as a gelding at Hawkesbury at the start of the season and the Ranvet Handicap (1400m) is the natural progression.

House Of Cards, $4 with TAB on Tuesday, showed a new side to himself that the trainer hopes will translate into a swift rise through the grades.

“I liked the fact he took up a slightly handier position,’’ he said.

“He had a habit when he was a colt of ambling out of the gates and he’d end up a long way back.

“Tactically he was able to take up a more forward spot, he travelled sweetly for Tommy (Berry) and quickened up when he was asked.

“It was good to see him come back and show us what we’ve been seeing at home.”

Freedman hasn’t pencilled in any grand plans for House Of Cards at present but if he’s strong at the 1400m it will open up options going forward.

“He’s a horse that will hopefully continue to improve and I’m looking forward to slightly stepping him up,’’ he said.

“He gives every indication eventually he’ll love getting out to a mile and maybe a bit further. If that’s the case it could open some extra opportunities.”

Enriched steps out for the first time since his debut in February in the TAB Handicap (1100m) after Freedman elected to miss last week’s rain affected Kensington meeting.

The colt had support at his only start in the Pierro Plate on the back of some smart trials and there was a genuine excuse for his shock failure so gets a clean slate for his return.

“He had Switzerland and the others covered on the corner then weakened out of it,’’ Freedman said.

“He pulled up sore so we tipped him straight out and gave him and extended spell.

“He had a short mid winter prep on the water walker then went back out again.

“He’s a colt I’ve got a bit of time for, he’s a big strong horse and I’ve liked both his trials.”

A Queensland winter break and a gelding procedure for Edited By have Freedman hopeful he can make an impact in the Ole Kirk First Yearlings Handicap (1200m).

The four-year-old won successive races at Newcastle in March before finishing sixth in a Listed race at Eagle Farm where Freedman said things didn’t go his way.

House Of Cards wins at Hawkesbury on August 1

“He progressed really well last preparation, even his last start when we sent him to Queensland was a pretty good effort,’’ he said.

“He ended up down on the inside of the track where it was apparently a no-go zone that day. He’s a horse we haven’t rushed, he’s gelded now and I’ve been happy with his trials.”

All the fields, form and replays for Wednesday’s Warwick Farm meeting