Cup fancy stands out
EXCITING Melbourne Cup fancy Russian Camelot highlighted a star-studded cast of Flemington jump-outs on Monday with an authoritative track gallop.
The Group 1 South Australian Derby winner put in one of the more authoritative jump outs, sitting wide on speed and trucking through the line under a hold from jockey Damien Oliver over 1200m.
The 20-heat spring preview included 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare, Blue Diamond Stakes runnerup Hanseatic, as well as Cup hopefuls Aktau and Steel Prince.
Lindsay Park was well-represented with Cape Of Good Hope and Constantinople blowing out the cobwebs, as did the veteran Humidor.
Godolphin-owned Hanseatic’s cotrainer Sam Freedman was thrilled with the performance.
“He was a bit fresh and full of himself but he trialled well on the bit,” Freedman said.
“We’re happy with where he’s at, still got a bit of time up his sleeve, so he’s right where we want him.
Hanseatic will resume in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1000m) on September 2, with long-term plans to target the Group 1 Moir Stakes and Coolmore Stud Stakes.
Hanseatic settled nicely behind the barriers despite only arriving at Flemington on Monday after a good break at the Freedmans’ stable, Pinecliff, in Mt Eliza.
“Last campaign you needed the rider to get off him (behind the barriers) and he’d walk straight in,” Freedman said.
“He was really well-behaved behind the gates, I think it’s a sign he’s really starting to grow up and mature and just watching the trial his stride looks a lot bigger and he just looks stronger in his work.”
Hanseatic finished fifth in his Heat 3 behind Pretty Brazen, Jerle, Fabric and Aristia.
Jye McNeil is likely to partner the colt in the McEwen.
“He was really happy with him, (Jye) said he felt like he was really wanting to explode,” Freedman said. “He was quite soft on him in the last 50 or 100m.”
Melbourne Cup contender Steel Prince and 2019 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Lyre also pleased the Freedman yard.
Lyre, who placed in the Group 1 TAB Classic and Goodwood in Adelaide last preparation, is likely to have a lighter spring campaign with a view towards 2021 autumn targets.