By Craig Kerry
Randwick trainer Michael Freedman believes exciting colt Pallaton is primed to stamp his Golden Slipper credentials, but he’s only hopeful promising import Givemethebeatboys can measure up on Saturday at Randwick.
Pallaton marked himself as an early Slipper contender with a commanding win on debut over 1000m at Randwick on December 21, but several others, including stablemate Apocalyptic, have since emerged.
Tommy Berry riding Pallaton to victory at Randwick on December 21.Credit: Getty Images
The Wootton Bassett colt, equal 21st in the Slipper order of entry, races in the Pierro Plate on Saturday off a trial at Rosehill on February 3. He was on the second line of betting for the Slipper at $11 with Sportsbet, alongside Apocalyptic, and behind Wodeton ($3.20).
Zac Lloyd takes over from the injured Tommy Berry on Pallaton, which was a $2.30 favourite on Saturday from gate two.
“He had a couple of weeks off after his win, just for a mental freshen-up, and it was good,” Freedman said.
“He’s done well since. I was happy with his work Tuesday, he’s drawn a nice alley, so hopefully Zac can make use of that and put him into a good spot.
“I thought 1100 metres on his home track was a nice option for him and if he runs well enough, it gives us potentially three weeks into the Todman Stakes.
“I think you get to this time of year and there’s nowhere really to hide. You are going to measure up for the better two-year-old races or you’re not.”
He said Apocalyptic, second in her only start, would likely trial at Rosehill on Tuesday then run in the Sweet Embrace or Reisling Stakes. Another Freedman two-year-old, Extractor, third last week in the Lonhro Plate, was likely to contest the Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield with Ben Melham aboard on February 22.
Four-year-old Givemethebeatboys debuts for Freedman in the group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) after a 14-start career in Ireland and Great Britain where he won twice at group 3 level. The most recent victory was in August before he finished well back twice in group 1s.
Off two trials, Givemethebeatboys was into a $12 chance in the six-horse field featuring favourite Joliestar ($2.45).
“I’m treating Saturday as a bit of a learning curve, just to see where that European sprinting form lines up against some of our sprinters,” Freedman said.
“But his trials have been all right. While it’s only a small field, it’s a decent field. There’s some good quality horses in there.
“I’m just going in with an open mind, just to see where he does measure up.”
Freedman also has Sires’ Produce and Furious Stakes winner Manaal resuming in the group 2 Light Fingers Stakes, but a draw in 12 dampened the trainer’s hopes.
“It’s not ideal, but we’ll just have to find the best way to ride her to give her the softer run in the first half of the race, and give her a chance to finish off,” he said of the $6.50 chance.
“The plan has always been to run first-up in this race then hopefully that will lead into the Surround Stakes.”
He has chances late on the card with last-start winner Bunker Hut ($5) and Yiska ($10) in the ninth, and Panic ($10), which was luckless first-up two weeks ago, in the 10th.
