Promising youngster Extreme Freedom will begin his quest for a potential Australian Derby tilt when he returns in the Lake Heights Midway Benchmark 64 Handicap (1400m) at Kembla Grange on Tuesday.
Trainers Robert and Luke Price are set to give their son of Turn Me Loose his chance to chase Autumn Carnival riches in the coming months but will give the gelding a low key return on home turf.
Extreme Freedom has a win and two placings in five career starts and was tested in a Listed Dulcify Stakes in the spring where he finished eighth on a heavy track at Randwick.
Extreme Freedom (Tommy Berry) wins at Kembla Grange. Image by Bradley Photographers
He gets every opportunity to step through his grades during his three-year-old autumn preparation with his staying capabilities set to be put to the test.
"He's on a Derby preparation," trainer Luke Price said.
"He's a nice horse and we have to see if he will run a strong 2400m but that's the way we are looking.
"The Tulloch Stakes will be the main goal with him so we will go three runs into the Tulloch and if he's not quite there, I will just back off him and go to a Queensland Derby with him."
While over a shorter trip first-up, Price is confident Extreme Freedom can produce a solid showing fresh from a break with one quiet trial under his belt.
The stable's regular rider and former apprentice Brock Ryan will take the reins from barrier two.
"We just want him to hit the line strongly," Price said. "There looks to be plenty of speed in the race so if he can just find a spot in behind the speed, he will be grinding away."
TAB rate Extreme Freedom as a $10 chance in his return with the Cuban Granchico the $5 favourite ahead of the Jarrod Austin-trained Spats Pav Bowie at $5.50 after getting into the field as an emergency.
The Prices also have Headstock having his first-up run in the Port Kembla Class 1 Handicap (1000m). Headstock, a $17 hope, has placed in three of his six runs and is still eligible for a maiden but has been set a challenge in his return.
"He's first-up out of his grade but the horse is going well," Price said.
The Prices have nominated multiple Group 2 winning mare Jamaea for Saturday's Group 3 Southern Cross Stakes and Group 3 Triscay Stakes and will make a decision later this week which way they will head with the four-year-old.
View the final fields with full form & race replays for Kembla Grange here