Trainer Tony Gollan isn’t prepared to foreshadow any big race targets for promising galloper Freedom Rally until he passes his first Sydney test at Rosehill on Saturday.
Trainer Tony Gollan (Pic: Grant Guy)
There’s no doubt the leading Brisbane trainer thinks he has an above average talent, backed up by four straight wins including three easy victories from as many starts this campaign, but he is not taking the task lightly.
Gollan said the Ranvet Handicap (1400m) will provide a solid, but achievable, challenge for Freedom Rally.
“He’s done a good job this prep and we thought we’d test the waters and travel him away to a benchmark race and see where he sits in the scheme of things,’’ Gollan said.
“I want to give him a look at travelling for starters. After that race we’ll see what we’ve got and come up with a plan.
“There’s no real plan past Saturday, it’s a matter of seeing what Saturday brings. Do we give him a light freshen and look at other races through the spring or come back for a summer carnival in Brisbane?
“He’s not a tired horse, he’s really at the peak of his powers in the prep.”
Freedom Rally started $1.35 when he scored a runaway win over 1400m at Eagle Farm two weeks ago, and Gollan said he really appreciated the step out in distance.
His reputation has followed him to Sydney as Gollan’s charge was $1.95 with TAB on Wednesday.
“He’s always been a nice horse. The 1200m wins took me a little by surprise, I’m adamant seven furlongs and probably a mile is his best trip,’’ he said.
“He’s not the finished product yet, he keeps on improving with each run and that’s hopefully what we will see on Saturday.
“(Last start) was three-year-old grade but he had a good barrier and did everything pretty right. He was a touch keen early but has come through the run really well.
“This is a step up, Benchmark 78 grade in Sydney, but he probably can’t be more impressive than he’s been here and it’s a good idea to try him and see where he fits.”
The gelding is four and there’s a $10 million Golden Eagle run over 1500m at Rosehill in November for horses of that age group.
Obviously Freedom Rally has a way to go to warrant targeting such a race and he is one of a number of horses on the $51 line in all-in betting.
Ryan Maloney, who partnered the horse to his maiden win, is back on board on Saturday and Gollan said he will get every chance to pass the test and earn the right to tackle something better.
“My gut feeling is he’s a pretty nice horse, he’s lightly raced and he can handle most conditions,’’ he said.
“He gives me a really good feel but obviously they are out of age group racing so it’s a little bit tougher when they turn four.
“Ryan knows the horse well. He’ll settle third, fourth, fifth, that’s his pattern. He just sits in behind speed with a bit of cover.
“Off a good draw he gets the right run and it’s just a matter of if he’s good enough.”
– Racing NSW
