3 minute read

Trainer Michael Freedman has been having a run of success with his team of young horses in recent weeks and especially those by New Zealand sire Darci Brahma.

The most recognisable of his stable is the unbeaten entire Super Easy who made it 12 wins from as many starts in Singapore with his victory in the Group 3 Jumbo Jet Trophy last Sunday.

Super Easy is one of five Darci Brahma sired horses Freedman currently has in training in Singapore with a recently turned two-year-old also on its way in the future.

Like Super Easy, Chateauneuf Dupape is a four-year-old, while the other Darci Brahma stock in his team currently – Ronnie Brown, Super Junior and Super Shadow – are all three-year-olds.

Ronnie Brown and Super Shadow were also successful last week giving Darci Brahma three winners for the day while Super Junior will be out to keep the winning run going when he lines-up in the $75,000 Progress Stakes over 1400m on Sunday.

With a plethora of good young talent on his books, Freedman is having trouble separating his team, especially with the $200,000 170th Jubilee Stakes over 1400m on September 30 looming.

Freedman said he could have four runners heading towards the race with Super Junior a possibility providing he performs up to expectations on Sunday with Super Good, Empire Bay and Ronnie Brown also being possibilities for the race.

Super Junior will be having his first run on the turf on Sunday and will be ridden by Stephen Baster after Joao Moreira, who was successful on him at his first two starts, elected to ride Rising Empire.

A winner on debut over 1000m on July 27 before winning in Novice company over 1200m on August 17, Freedman is confident the 1400m journey should be ideal for Super Junior.

“Both his runs to date have been good and I am especially looking forward to seeing him run over 1400m,” said Freedman.

“It’s his first go on the turf so we’ll see how he goes, but if he comes through the race well and performs how I think he will then he will certainly be in the mix for that race at the end of the month.

“They’re all nice three-year-olds and I couldn’t have asked much more of them at this stage.

“Ronnie Brown was very good last week having to be used up at both ends. It’s pleasing to see him go from winning a maiden to a Class 4 race at his second start and on his pedigree a mile race will certainly be within his grasp.

“All these young horses I think will be even better off next year. I would like to see them have a break and then come back next year all the better for the experience of having raced here so far.”

Freedman will also saddle the five-year-old Bieber in Sunday’s race and suggested the gelding would benefit from the run.

“He’s a stayer starting back and I would think he’s looking for further,” said Freedman.

“In his last couple of campaigns he’s kicked off over 1400m and I just thought the conditions of this race and on the turf suited him as a starting off point.”

Moreira said it was a tough decision choosing between Super Junior and his mount Rising Empire in Sunday’s race.

Rising Empire hasn’t raced since scoring in the Group 3 Magic Millions Juvenile Championship over 1200m on July 29.

“It wasn’t an easy decision at all to make,” said the champion jockey.

“Both are very good horses. Sometimes you make the wrong decision but we’ll just have to see.

“My horse won me a cup race at his last start and it was on the turf, so I thought I had to stick with him.

“But it will be a good race that is for sure.”