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By Ray Hickson

If you want to beat them, join them – trainer Tony Gollan used a freshen up at Ciaron Maher’s Bong Bong property to revitalise talented gelding Freedom Rally and he’s already seen the difference ahead of Saturday’s $2 million Five Diamonds (1800m) at Rosehill.

Trainer Tony Gollan (Pic: Grant Guy)

That freshen up came on the back of two indifferent performances early in his campaign and prior to his eye-catching third in the Prelude over 1500m two weeks ago.

With that run showing he’s back on track, Gollan says he’s the forgotten horse in the Listed feature.

“His first run was really good, it was quite a firm track that day at Randwick, he ran fourth in what was a really good race and a good form race throughout the carnival,’’ Gollan said on Sky Sports Radio.

“We put the blinkers on him second-up and things went a bit pear shaped, a seven day back up thereafter was never really part of the plan. We backed off after that completely, went to Bong Bong Farm and gave him an easy week.

"We barrier trialled at Warwick Farm to make sure he was back on track. The Prelude showed us we’re definitely where we needed to be and now we’re at the race we always wanted to get to.”

Freedom Rally, $19 with TAB on Thursday, ran the fastest last 600m (33.82, Punter’s Intelligence) in the Prelude as he closed into third behind Iknowastar.

Gollan said he seemed to appreciate being ridden off the speed and would envisage something similar up in distance.

“I thought he powered to the line beautifully covering ground,’’ he said.

“He’s trained on nicely, he’s just ticked over the last two weeks and he presents in good shape.

“The way he relaxed in the Prelude on what was an okay tempo, with the leader winning, it showed there’s no reason he wouldn’t get the 1800m.

“He profiles as though he’ll really enjoy it. I think he’s massively over the odds.”

Maher, meanwhile, produces an interesting import when Relentless Voyager makes his Australian debut in the Five Diamonds.

He’s one of a couple of curious new additions to step out at Rosehill, another being Gilded Water who is owned by His Majesty King Charles III.

Relentless Voyager finished eighth in the Ebor at York in August and Maher said on SEN he’ll likely find the distance on the sharp side.

“It’s going to be well short of his best trip but the horse has come through quarantine in good order,’’ he said.

He has higher expectations for Gilded Water, a lightly raced four-year-old who has won once in four starts, in the James Squire Handicap (1800m).

The gelding is a half-brother to Sydney Cup winner Circle Of Fire and has had the benefit of a 1200m barrier trial just over a week back.

Freedom Rally runs third at Randwick on October 26

“He’s come through quarantine and has done very well,’’ he said.

“He had a trial the other day and I’m quite happy with him. He’s drawn well, he will land on speed somewhere.

“He has a favourable rating that he came over with and I think he can be effective over the shorter trips.”

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