Sam Freedman is bullish he can add his name to a Robert Sangster Stakes honour roll that includes his champion father and uncle when he saddles up two runners in Saturday’s G1 feature in Adelaide.
Freedman was heavily involved with his father’s stable but not yet on the training ticket when Anthony Freedman claimed the Sangster with Shoals in 2018, while Lee Freedman dominated the race when Alinghi (2005), Ellicorsam (2006) and Universal Queen (2007) won three consecutive editions.
On Saturday, Freedman saddles up race favourite Point Barrow ($5 with Bet365) and last year’s runner-up Ameena ($41).
He said the three-year-old filly Point Barrow, who has won five of her eight starts and has been aimed at this G1 since her spring campaign, is the top seed of his pair, as the market suggests.
“Clearly Point Barrow is the pick of the two,” Freedman told Racing SA’s Frontrunner podcast.
“It’s a tricky barrier for her, albeit she’s a filly that generally gets back and winds up so she’ll certainly have some clear air anyway.
“She’s a very talented filly that doesn’t have a Group 1 on her CV yet so this has been a real target race for her.
“I wouldn’t have many horses at home that can quicken up like her and she can reel off some sectionals off slow tempos.
“She hasn’t been in many races with a fast tempo so that could be a different dynamic for her, should that eventuate on Saturday.
“If she’s in touch with them and within striking distance at the 300m, she’s going to be awfully hard to hold out.”
Of Ameena, Freedman said the mare appears to be working better than when she ran Charm Stone to a neck in last year’s race.
“I will say, Ameena was only just going last year when she ran in the race and she wasn’t showing a lot at home or in her trials and she obviously came out and nearly won it,” he said.
“About a week ago she was similar, we felt she was just going but she trialed really well against My Gladiola.
“She’s had a good week since and, while she’s going to go around at the big price, it wouldn’t shock me if she runs a cheeky race again.”
The Anthony and Sam Freedman stable have representation in six of the seven Stakes races at Morphettville on Saturday, including last-start maiden winner Cushioned in the G1 Australasian Oaks.
