By Ray Hickson
Trainer Michael Freedman is quietly confident unbeaten filly Spirit Of Wealth will handle a steep class rise at Rosehill on Saturday but says she’ll need to keep her mind on the job.
Impressive wins at Newcastle and Warwick Farm have encouraged Freedman to test the waters in the Group 2 $300,000 Canadian Club Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) where she takes on Golden Slipper runner-up Coleman with just a 2kg advantage despite a 29 rating point difference.
That difference can’t account for Spirit Of Wealth’s promise, given she missed her two-year-old season through immaturity.
“Obviously it’s a big step up in grade but she’s done nothing wrong thus far,’’ Freedman said.
“We figured it’s probably worth finding out where she sits at the moment.
"She seems to have trained on well from Warwick Farm and she’s drawn a nice gate there on Saturday.
“The fact she went from a maiden to a 68 race and was able to win comfortably it’s usually a good indication they’ve got above average ability.”
Where Freedman says Spirit Of Wealth needs to be more polished arises from her Warwick Farm win, she ran about in the straight and while the result was never in doubt it’s still something to be ironed out.
“She did a bit wrong at Warwick Farm the other day, I’m not sure why, she had a bit of a look around and wanted to wander off the track a bit,’’ he said.
“With the nice draw hopefully she can do it the right way. But she’s got a good racing style and can quicken up when you need her to.”
Spirit Of Wealth, $3.70 with TAB on Friday, has been strongly supported since the fields were released and Freedman said while she’s led in both her wins he’s adamant Tommy Berry will have plenty of options.
“It depends on the pace of the race, she’s not that one dimensional that she has to lead,’’ he said.
“She’s had to do that in her first two starts but I think she’s got the versatility that if he wants to take a sit on her he can.”
Freedman is chasing a stakes win for Blanc De Blanc in the Group 3 $250,000 The Nivison (1200m) after placings in two strong form races this time in.
Though she’s only won the one race she already has three stakes placings from her two-year-old season and what Freedman likes about her current campaign is the continuity that hasn’t been there previously.
The four-year-old has finished runner-up to talented gallopers Briasa and Ostraka in her two runs this spring.
Spirit Of Wealth wins at Warwick Farm on September 25
“It’s the first time we’ve been able to get a proper preparation into her without any setbacks since her two-year-old year,’’ Freedman said.
“Both her runs have been good. I think it’s an open Nivison and if she can find the right spot from the draw she will run well.
“At this stage of her career, where she’s already stakes placed, trying to chase these black type races is more important than winning a city race.”
All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Rosehill meeting