Latest News

Promising colt Gelatin can set the platform for a potential Group 1 tilt when he headlines Michael Freedman's strong hand at Kembla Grange on Saturday.

Gelatin is one of four Freedman runners set to line up on the afternoon and will run first in the Well Done Matildas Midway 3YO Maiden Handicap (1400m).

The Snitzel colt finished seventh at Warwick Farm in his first run back from a freshen up and has been handed a tricky task from barrier 9 at Kembla with Rory Hutchings in the saddle.

Picko Rocks (Mitchell Bell; red & white hooped sleeves) arrives in time at Kembla Grange. Image by Bradley Photographers

"Gelatin has just had no luck with the barriers and I think this is his fourth time he's ended up near the outside draw," Freedman said.

"He's a horse with good talent.

"He is entered for Warwick Farm Wednesday as well but he is a horse with good ability and I think he will love it when he gets to a mile or even further.

"We are hoping he might end up being a Gloaming (Stakes), Spring Champion Stakes horse later on."

Gelatin is the $2.60 favourite to break his maiden on Saturday.

Lightly-raced stablemate Write This Way ($4.20) is also favourite in the Mary Fowler Maiden Plate (1200m) after finishing second at the track on debut. But Freedman is worried about the testing barrier 12.

"Right This Way is a filly I really like but she has unfortunately drawn the outside gate again," he said. "It's not ideal but we will accept at a maiden with her on Tuesday as a back up plan if we decide not to run but she's a filly on the way up."

Picko Rocks ($6) is chasing a hat-trick of Kembla wins to start this preparation and will chase another success with Mitchell Bell aboard in the Delta Amidzovski Benchmark 64 Handicap (1600m).

"It is a natural step up from a Class 1 to a Benchmark 64 at a track he likes," Freedman said. "Mitch Bell knows him well and has given him two great rides his first two starts back so as he usually is, he will be thereabouts for sure."

Nerano is having his debut for the stable in the Jessica Hull Maiden Plate (1200m). The Snitzel gelding has been given four trials in preparation for his debut but has also been set a task from a tough barrier 12.

"Nerano's ($9) trials this time I've loved," Freedman said. "He is bred to get over a bit of a trip so even though he has drawn poorly, we might still run him and ride him a bit conservative.

"I think as he gets to 1400m and to a mile, I think he can keep improving because he is a very well bred horse and I like the way he is coming up." Keagan Latham rides Nerano.

View final fields with full form & race replays for Kembla Grange here