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SINGAPORE: Freedman's Babies Bag Two Legs From Three

7th Mar 2011

Racing And Sports - Michael Lee - Monday, 7 March 2011

Trainer Michael Freedman continues to make his mark in the Singapore Golden Horseshoe series for two-year-olds with his second win from the three legs already run thus far, when Dash For Win landed the money in style in the $60,000 Inglis Easter Yearling Stakes (1100m) two weeks after Cash Luck notched the second leg.

Both winners are raced by the Northwest Racing Stable, an outfit that struck a fruitful association with the Australian handler at his first years at Kranji before drifting away, but it now looks like the old firm is back on song - ironically with new blood.

“They're both two nice horses and just like Cash Luck the other day, this one (Dash For Win) also won on just raw ability,” said Freedman.

“He's big and still immature and we'll have to take him week by week. There is definitely more scope in him, but he finished off very well today.

“I always said both were more three-year-old types and would probably go better over 1400m-1600m.

“I'll see how this one pulls up and decide whether I will set him for the 1200m race on grass on April 17, and of course the ultimate goal is the final leg in May (Aushorse Golden Horseshoe on May 20). The same goes for Cash Luck.”

Just like in the first two legs, Beyonce dictated terms for jockey Saimee Jumaat, and while the New Zealand-bred filly put up a stiffer resistance against favourite Irish Lightning (Barend Vorster) this time, she had no answer to Dash For Win's superior finish inside the last furlong.

Despite plotting a wide course from the start, the gangly grey gelding was still full of running at the top of the straight, and once Beasley pushed the button, he gathered in the leading pair in a few strides to sail home a 1 ½-length winner to record 1min 6.97secs for the 1100m.

Beasley, who handed over the reins to jockey Vlad Duric when Cash Luck won the Adelaide Yearling Stakes (1000m) due to suspension, admitted Cash Luck was probably a better horse, but the Inglis Easter Yearling Stakes winner was no slouch either.

“I rode both horses in trackwork, and Cash Luck is probably the better horse, but Dash For Win is not a bad sort either,” said Freedman's No 1 rider.

“It was my plan to drop back and tuck in on the rails in the backstraight, but then he ran off the bend and I decided to stay out.

“I thought it would be better to avoid the kickback and keep him behind. I knew Beyonce would lead but I thought he would soften up the favourite (Irish Lightning).

“They went really quick and I thought I would just sit back and have a last crack at them in the home straight.

“He won a nice race but I think he will be a much better horse over 1400m and 1600m.”

Dash For Win, who ran third to the 1st leg winner Kaiser at debut, however became the first of the three series winners thus far not to be eligible for the bonus ($15,000) as he was not sold at either an Magic Millions or Inglis sale.