Anthony Freedman nailed a quinella at Caulfield on Saturday as Super Seth and King Of Hastings finished first and second in the Group 3 McNeil Stakes (1200m).
Super Seth, who opened the race as a $3.70 favourite with Ladbrokes.com.au flashed home late from a three-wide position to beat stablemate King Of Hastings by just over a length. It was a thrilling run from two of Freedman’s top horses, leaving plenty of questions as to where the pair are heading next.
“Both lovely horses, second horse (King Of Hastings) very honest, we didn’t really want to lead but nothing else wanted it. Ben (Melham) tried to slow as best he could but he kicked. He’s very brave and very genuine, cheap horse the owners are having a lot of fun with, it’s great to see” Freedman said after the race.
“The other horse (Super Seth), he got a lovely run and he was probably closer than I thought he’d be. He’d probably be better with more speed in his races, which will happen as the races get better. A bigger field probably suits him”.
Trainer Anthony Freedman will likely aim Super Seth at the Caulfield Guineas Prelude on September 29. Photo Credit: Ultimate Racing Photos.
Neither of Freedman’s horses have raced over 1400m in their short careers, begging the question of a mile.
One option could be the Group 1 $2 million Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas (1600m) in just over a month’s time, although Freedman is still keeping his options open as far as Super Seth is concerned.
“We’ll just see, he may go to Flemington in two weeks and run up the straight, we’ll just see.
I trialed him up there with that in mind so that’s an option. Then he could go to the Guineas Prelude, and we’ll have a look at him and see where he’s at. Then he can either switch back to the 1200 or go on to the mile” Freedman went on to say.
Super Seth has firmed slightly from $19.00 into $15.00 for the 2019 Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas, a race winning jockey Mark Zahra would like the stable to target.
“Absolutely, he’s probably one of my best rides of the Spring. He’s nice, big strong horse and always shown ability. It’s good for him to win first-up” Zahra said.
Despite running a strong second, King Of Hastings remains a $51.00 chance for the Caulfield Guineas though race sponsor Ladbrokes.com.au.
2019 HDF McNeil Stakes Results & Finishing Order
| Place | # | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Barrier | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | SUPER SETH | Anthony Freedman | Mark Zahra | – | 6 | 57kg | $3.60F |
| 2 | 3 | KING OF HASTINGS | Anthony Freedman | Ben Melham | 1.25L | 4 | 57kg | $3.90 |
| 3 | 2 | SEBRAKATE | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Craig Williams | 1.35L | 5 | 57kg | $9 |
| 4 | 8 | BARCALI | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | Damien Oliver | 1.45L | 8 | 57kg | $31 |
| 5 | 9 | MISSILE MANTRA | Peter & Paul Snowden | Damian Lane | 1.95L | 2 | 56kg | $5.50 |
| 6 | 5 | PEIDRA | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Luke Nolen | 2.15L | 7 | 57kg | $5.50 |
| 7 | 7 | SHOTMAKER | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Dwayne Dunn | 2.45L | 3 | 57kg | $10 |
| 8 | 6 | OUTLANDOS | Tony McEvoy | James Winks | 6.2L | 1 | 57kg | $61 |
| – | 1 | DUBIOUS | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | John Allen | – | 0 | – | – |
