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By Ray Hickson

Trainer Michael Freedman is keeping an open mind about where Group 1 winning filly Manaal’s spring takes her but in the back of his mind is the desire to give her another shot at 1600m.

Trainer Michael Freedman (Pic: Bradley Photos).

That stems from her failure to handle the deteriorating conditions when beaten as favourite, running fourth to Broadsiding, in the Champagne Stakes earlier this year.

So the logical second chance comes in the Group 1 Darley Flight Stakes on October 5, and she’s at the top of TAB’s pre-noms market at $3.50.

The Flight is the fourth and final leg of the Princess Series and Manaal is also favourite, $2.70 on Thursday, to return a winner in the Group 2 $300,000 Darley Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.

“I’d just like to see how she returns,’’ he said.

“There’s the slight possibility of looking to the Run To The Rose and Golden Rose but the Princess Series does lend itself to a filly like her.

“She travelled on the bit (in the Champagne) and as soon as Jamie Kah let her head go she lost her action completely.

“I don’t think that was indicative of whether she can run a mile or not. I didn’t read too much into it.”

Manaal earned her Group 1 win by taking out the Inglis’ Sires (1400m) on the back of her fifth in he Golden Slipper and everything Freedman has seen at home says she’s developed with a break.

He said that’s important for new season three-year-olds to make the transition at a time when her slower maturing peers are starting to catch up.

“She was able to have a good six week spell after the Champagne and she came back a little bigger and stronger,’’ he said.

“She does have a scopey physique but it’s all guesswork. On what I’ve seen so far since coming back I’ve been pleased enough and you’re just hoping they put it down on race day.”

Freedman said his only real concern going into the Silver Shadow is the set weights and penalties conditions which sees Manaal on 58kg conceding 3kg to the entire field, aside from Reisling Stakes winner Erno’s Cube who carries 57kg.

But she’s drawn a favourable barrier and on the back of two pleasing trials he said it’s now up to Manaal.

“She has to give the 3kg with the penalty which for any horse could make her a bit vulnerable against those who don’t have to carry the penalty,’’ he said.

“But she seems in good order and I think the 1200m at Randwick first-up should suit her.”

The barrier gods weren’t so kind to Ducasse who resumes in the Group 3 $250,000 Hyland Race Colours Show County Quality (1200m) but Freedman said it’s a starting point for his spring campaign.

Ducasse won the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes over the mile in April and spelled in Queensland after finishing midfield in the Guineas up north.

“He had a nice month off in the sunshine up there and I’ve been happy with him,’’ he said.

Manaal wins a Warwick Farm trial on August 12

“The 1200m is probably short of his ideal distance but there’s some nice options coming up for him leading into some of the bigger mile races if his form warrants it.”

Michael Freedman on Mumbai Muse (race 9): “I’ve been happy with both of her trials. She had an interrupted prep, she didn’t get a great deal of luck particularly in the Arrowfield. I’m pleased with how she’s returned, she had a good long spell in Queensland and seems to be in good order.”

On Blanc De Blanc (race 9): “I’m so keen to get her back to the races, she’s only had two runs since the Golden Slipper as a two-year-old so she’s had no racing at all. On her best form she’s around some of these horses, she had no luck with barriers in her two-year-old year and was matching it with Learning To Fly.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Randwick meeting