3 minute read

Trainer Michael Freedman's list of classy performers continues to grow after the win of Maranello in the $65,000 Novice Stakes over 1400m on Friday night.

Coming from the tail of the field, Maranello, ridden by Joao Moreira, swept down the outside to score by four-and-a-quarter lengths over Work Ahead (Mohd Zaki) with Continental Flyer (Danny Beasley) a nose back in third place.

The victory brought up a winning treble for Moreira who had previously won the opening two races on the program.

Maranello was having his first run back from a break which coincided with his maiden victory over 1600m on November 27.

Freedman said he would give the gelding every opportunity to develop into the handy stayer he believes he's capable of.

Moreira was impressed with the performance of Maranello, reporting to Freedman that the way the gelding let down suggest he has a bright future.

“Joao got off him and said he likes the horse,” said Freedman. “He was having trouble getting a clear run so he jagged him back to last and hooked out the widest.

“Joao said he let down very well and believes he has a future up here.”

Freedman went to A$140,000 to secure Maranello as a yearling and said the gelding was a half-brother to Lotteria which ran second to Makybe Diva in the 2005 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.

“He's got a staying future for sure,” said Freedman. “His half-sister was a good mare back home named Lotteria which ran second to Makybe Diva in a Cox Plate.

“She used to stick on pretty well and this bloke is showing those same signs.”

Freedman said he had nothing specific in mind for Maranello in the immediate future but long term would like to head towards the Group 1 Singapore Guineas over 1600m in May.

“I know it is a bit of a way off yet but longterm I would like to think of him as a Guineas type of horse,” said Freedman.

“There aren't a lot of staying options around for the three-year-olds at this stage of the year, so I'll just sit down and have a good look at the program and see what is available.”

A son of Testa Rossa from the Sir Tristram mare Rose Reward, Maranello has won two of his four starts and collected around $70,000 in prizemoney for the Quicksilver Stable.

Moreira completed a quartet for the night when he won the following race, the $35,000 Class 5 Stakes over 1600m on the Polytrack aboard Happy More.