Racing
Apocalyptic tracks well at Caulfield
Michael Freedman has taken advantage of galloping Apocalyptic at Caulfield ahead of the Thousand Guineas.
Trainer Michael Freedman had considered tipping Apocalyptic out for a break but reasoned the filly had enough left in the tank to chase another Group 1 success.
After stretching the winning sequence to three in capturing the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on October 4, Apocalyptic is in Melbourne for a shot at the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Freedman took advantage of galloping Apocalyptic, with Mark Zahra aboard, at Caulfield on Tuesday morning, with stablemate Just A Journey for company, and was pleased with what he saw.
"I did give some thought to stopping and giving her a break, but she pulled up so we well after the Flight that we thought as long as she travelled down well and settled in well that it was worth a shy at the stumps," Freedman said.
"I'm pretty excited about her and she's done a lot in a short space of time.
"I'm looking forward to the autumn with her as well. I think she's one of the better ones that I've had anything to do with.
"In Sydney there's some nice options around that 1400, 1500-metre mark. She may get a little bit further and whether we try that next preparation remains to be seen, but anywhere from six furlongs, up to a mile, is probably in her sweet spot."
Freedman said it had been important that he took advantage of giving the filly a look at Caulfield before Saturday's contest.
He said he had been caught out before bringing horses down from his Sydney base and racing for the first time at Caulfield.
"That was why I was keen to give her a look around here this morning," Freedman said.
"I've brought a few here and they find it a difficult place to get around. They seem to get around Moonee Valley better for some reason.
"She seemed to track on the right leg most of the way today.
"You could see at the top of the straight she was having a look, but that was the whole idea of coming here. I loved the way she worked through the line and Mark seemed really happy."
Just A Journey also holds an entry in the Thousand Guineas but will instead head to the Group 3 Ethereal Stakes (2000m) on Saturday's program.
The filly was just nutted by Getta Good Feeling in the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on October 4 at her most recent outing.
"It was a good run in the Manifold," Freedman said.
"She's a nice genuine type of staying filly and I thought the Ethereal would suit."
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