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By Ray Hickson

You can only take so much from barrier trials but when Forbidden Love took ground off Nature Strip on a Monday morning recently co-trainer Michael Freedman had the sense the Group 1 winning mare was back.

Trainer Michael Freedman

Granted the sprint champ wasn’t tested in that trial on January 17 but as the mare resumes in the Group 2 $200,000 XXXX Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday it’s something for Freedman to be encouraged about.

Forbidden Love won last year’s Group 1 Surround Stakes but her spring preparation was mixed at best, with a third in the $2m The Invitation (1400m) her highlight.

But on the back of that trial, even though star Godolphin colt Anamoe will be a major stumbling block, Freedman can only expect her to regain her best form.

“Tommy Berry, I value Tommy’s judgment, came back in after the trial and said it was the best she’s felt so I took a lot of encouragement from that,’’ Freedman said.

“But barrier trials are one thing and race days are another. I think if she can reproduce something like that, while Anamoe looks a good thing on paper, I think she can run well.”

It’s possible Forbidden Love’s spring form was a result of the longer turnaround between carnivals in the middle of the year, it could be the transition out of three-year-old racing or just some bad luck.

Freedman is certain she’s returned in better shape following her short spring break after she contested the Golden Eagle at the end of October.

“There were a couple of runs in the spring where she drew poor gates and had to be ridden more conservatively than we probably would normally,’’ he said.

“There were a couple maybe a little below par and a couple she was a bit stiff in.

“She had an abbreviated spell after the spring and she’s such a big gross mare I think it’s probably a better program for her. Hopefully she comes back in some of her autumn form from last year.”

With some conjecture over the speed in the Expressway, Freedman said he can see Forbidden Love, $7.50 with TAB on Friday, settling in the first half of the field.

“She’s the kind of mare fresh that could take up a forward position, I don’t necessarily think she’d be leading,’’ he said.

“I’d leave it to Hughie (Bowman) but if she began well and was able to roll forward and be in the first three or four that’d be ideal.”

Stablemate Tiger Of Malay lumped a big weight to a first-up win in the spring against the three-year-olds and Freedman said if he performs well fresh in the Expressway it will open up options for a potential Group 1 target down south.

The colt has trialled twice and Freedman said he appears to have returned very well and will get his chance from barrier two.

“He’s such a good tough horse,’’ he said.

“He had a good campaign last spring, winning the Up & Coming with 61kg first-up. I think his sweet spot in the 1400m trip.

“I’m hoping he runs very well and that will set him up for a nice 1400m race second-up.”

The Richard and Michael Freedman partnership produced last year’s Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside and with seven weeks until the 2022 edition, promising filly Queen Of The Ball has her chance to step into the picture in the Group 3 $160,000 Widden Stakes (1100m).

Forbidden Love runs second in a trial at Rosehill on January 17

The youngster debuted in the Kirkham Plate back in October and was run down by Ojai, who she meets 3kg better on Saturday, and Freedman said he’s confident her race sense has improved.

“She ran a super race first-up and, probably by the fact she did a few things wrong up the straight, there’d be an argument to say she cost herself the race,’’ he said.

“She’s come back more experienced and her trial last week was very good. We’ve added the winkers on Saturday to give her a little more focus and confidence.”

Queen Of The Ball has drawn one from the outside in the Widden and Freedman said her tactical speed will come into play in an effort to offset that gate.

“You’d be looking to be positive and take up a spot where she can just travel off the speed or thereabouts,’’ he said.

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