Racing
Cinsault caps stellar day for Michael Freedman
Under-rated mare Cinsault has fought back to down Lazzura in the Millie Fox Stakes.
Trainer Michael Freedman's "Hail Mary" hit the target when his form mare Cinsault broke through at stakes level in the Group 2 $300,000 Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
Cinsault, raced by Godolphin, had won three of her four starts in restricted grade over summer when Freedman decided to test her in the feature mares race.
"It just goes to show what can happen when you have a mare in form like she is at the moment,'' Freedman said.
"On facts and figures, I didn't think she could beat Lazzura but she is in such a purple patch of form.
"This is a massive jump from a benchmark 78 race to a Group 2 but with a mare going as well as her, sometimes you just have to roll with it.
"I had a good chat with the Godolphin team early in the week and I told them I know this is a bit of a 'Hail Mary' but I thought it was worth having a go at some black type with Cinsault.
"Godolphin are very easy to train for and they said we will go with what you think.''
Cinsault ($6) fought back after being headed by Lazzura ($2.05 favourite) to win by a long head with Dark Glitter ($9.50) 2-1/2 lengths away in third placing.
Lazzura loomed up as the likely winner half-way down the straight but just as trainer Chris Waller and jockey James Mcdonald were about to celebrate their 500th winner together, Cinsault fought back hard to beat the favourite.
Schofield, who took riding honours with a treble after his earlier success with Stretan Ruler in the Group 2 Silver Slipper and Starphisticated in the Midway, described Cinsault's win as "very gutsy."
"She (Cinsault) actually beat me in a ding-dong finish last start and I can see why, she's very gutsy, she just wants to give you everything she has,'' Schofield said.
"There was probably a bit more pressure early in the race than I would've liked, but we were up there travelling well.
"I waited until we straightened to come off the leader's back and when Lazzura didn't put me away early I thought "right, we're the fit horse, we'll get you later. She was the stronger of the two late.''
Cinsault also gave Freedman a stakes race treble after he prepared Ninja to win the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes, and Pallaton in the Group 3 Zeditave Stakes at Caulfield.
Freedman said if Cinsault pulls up really well, he will consider starting her in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 14.
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