![Iminastate will race for more than Group 3 honours in the Spring Stakes at Newcastle, with a strong performance potentially determining whether the Freedman-trained colt remains an entire. [Bradley Photos]](https://betsy.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/2382643.jpg)
A black-type win won’t be the only thing on the line for progressive three-year-old Iminastate when he heads to the Group 3 Spring Stakes at Newcastle’s stand-alone Hunter meeting.
The colt will also be racing to stave off a gelding procedure.
“We’re unsure whether he’s a better horse as a colt or a gelding, so there is more than just the race on the line for him,” co-trainer Will Freedman said.
“If he could win or run a close second, we’d consider keeping him an entire. If he doesn’t, I think he’ll be a better gelding, and you’ll see a better horse in the autumn.”
Iminastate has raced seven times for a win and three placings, breaking his maiden last start when he wore down Moon Flash over 1600m at Kembla Grange.
Prior to that, he finished runner-up to the promising Love Story on Randwick’s Kensington track.
Freedman says Iminastate’s gelding threat has less to do with his manners and more to do with his concentration.
“He’s not all that ‘colty’, he just gets a bit distracted and lacks a bit of focus,” he said.
“Sometimes it’s a maturity thing, so we’re allowing him to figure it out. Sometimes the penny can drop quicker than you think.
“He’s in the right race. He’s drawn kindly. Probably if he didn’t draw well, we might have gone back to the provincials, but they’re only three once and it’s the end of the spring, so he’s getting his chance.
“He’s progressing the right way.”
Once a lead-up to the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m), the Spring Stakes (1600m) at Newcastle has been in its November timeslot since 2019 and was won last year by Green Spaces, who went on to capture the ATC Australian Derby (2400m) in the autumn.
Saturday’s renewal has attracted a field of 10, with Iminastate rated a $7.50 chance behind $2.50 favourite Kickup Rocky for Queensland trainer Desleigh Forster.
Richard and Will Freedman will also have Miss Spacegirl in the McGrath – Izzy’s Gift Handicap (1400m) and she’s expected to strip much fitter for her midfield effort behind Saturday’s rival Chix at Randwick last start.
“She had a bit of a setback before her last run, so she was a little bit behind the ball there,” Will Freedman said.
“I daresay she’ll be pretty competitive in a race like this based on how much improvement she’s taken off her last run.”
