3 minute read
Two of last season’s most promising horses Freelancer and Outbound face off in Devonport on Sunday in a class one handicap (1150m) that has them both resuming from lengthy spells.
In Brief
- Freelancer and Outbound go head-to-head in first-up bout over 1150m.
- Outbound's trial win impressive.
- Possession back in grade should enhance chances of notching third win for Trinder.
Freelancer is a four-year-old from the Barry Campbell stable that has had five starts for a win and two minor placings from five outings and Outbound is a three-year-old that showed above average ability last season winning one and placing second twice from only three starts.
Outbound (Outreach-Danagall) won his maiden in Launceston before ending his prep with a game second behind the unbeaten Turk Warrior in the Gold Sovereign Stakes.
Trinder has taken the gelding to the trials in Devonport twice for a first-up third to stablemate Miss Tuppence and he won his latest trial impressively on 27 July.
Freelancer had one start as a two-year-old for a placing in Devonport before winning at his subsequent outing at the same venue as a three-year-old.
At his only other starts last season he contested feature races with a second to Vivilici in the 3YO Trophy his best result prior to finishing down the track in the Tasmanian Guineas won by Swoop Dog.
Freelancer has trialled once for a second to Vivilici over 800m and that mare has proven the trial form by winning first-up in Devonport last Sunday.
Paul and Elizabeth Geards' band of Geegees have been winning left, right and centre recently and the prominent owners have genuine winning chances in this race courtesy of last start winner Gee Gee Can Win and recent placegetters Gee Gee Rhythm and Gee Gee Real Deal.
From a punting perspective it would be nice to think you could back both Outbound and Freelancer and still win if either salute but opening them both at $2.80 or better might be wishful thinking.
It might be best to go hard on the quinella (1,4) and then take all the Geegees (3,6,8) in trifectas and first fours with last-start winner Mrs Whitten thrown in for good measure.
The Michael Trinder-trained Possession drops back from a BM74 to a BM66 over 1880m, which should suit the gallant grey that has been ultra-consistent at is past four outings, of which three have been over the trip.
He ran down Red Fiore in a 0-66 two starts back and last time he got too far back when chasing Galway Girl that race on-speed to win comfortably.
The gelding gets back up in the weights (60kg) but that's what he lugged to victory two starts back and Brendon McCoull jumps back on that should enhance his chances.
Dargo also drops back in grade from the BM74 last week, so he too must rate highly, while last start winner Geegees Rock Opera, that comes off a win in a BM60 (1650m) last week, only needs to handle the step up in distance to be very competitive.
