Polyglot puts smile back on Freedman’s face

Trainer Michael Freedman was still coming to terms with Transcend’s loss in the stewards room when Polyglot scored for the stable in the very next race, the Proven Thoroughbreds Handicap (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

But Freedman was momentarily taken aback when the trainer of the third placegetter, Street Artist, walked by and said: “We might protest.”Fortunately, the speaker was Michael’s brother Anthony who made the comment tongue in cheek.

Polyglot’s win made up for the disappointment Michael Freedman was still feeling after Transcend’s loss.

“In this business, you have to abide by the judge’s decision,” was Freedman’s diplomatic response when asked to comment on the protest decision that had first-over-the-line Transcend relegated to second behind Mind Ya Buzz.

But Polyglot ($6), ridden by Tim Clark, had Freedman smiling again when he held off the late surge of Off The Press ($7) to win by a neck with Street Artist ($3.70 favourite) a nose away third.

POLYGLOT…JUST 📸

A desperate go at Rosehill but Polyglot prevails for Tim Clark and @mfreedmanracing🥇🥇@darby_racing pic.twitter.com/Gf0nUy3WHF

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) July 4, 2026

“We got into a nice spot but I had to be patient as he only has as short, sharp sprint,” Clark said. “But he was very tough today.”

Freedman praised Clark’s tactically perfect ride on Polyglot, the former Godolphin galloper who was purchased by Scott Darby of Darby Racing Syndications before the start of last season.
“I recommended Darby Racing buy this horse because I thought he would be the perfect type for them,” Freedman said.

“He’s a tough, sound horse, he’s genuine and rarely runs a bad race. He’s done a great job for us so far with two wins from his last three starts and he’s very consistent.”

Earlier on the Rosehill program, Concordia Wind gave Sydney racing’s champion trainer-jockey combination of Chris Waller and James McDonald an early brace of wins when she took out the Schweppes Handicap (1900m).

Concordia Wind ($3.80 favourite) was given the run of the race for McDonald and raced clear to win by one-and-a-half lengths from Flying From Above ($18) with Leovanni ($5) a close third.

“This was the right race for her today,” said Waller, who also prepared Steel Will to score earlier in the day.

“James gave her a good ride and she has run the 1900m out well, so she should get out to 2000m at least.”

When McDonald was asked how far Concordia Wind could eventually get, the jockey made a light-hearted comment that still had a ring of truth to it.

“Chris could train a 1200m horse to run 2400m!” McDonald said.