Top Australian trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman are plotting another tilt at the Melbourne Cup with a couple of European imports.
They won ‘the race that stops the nation’ in 2023 with Without A Fight – a horse who had previously been trained in the United Kingdom by Simon & Ed Crisford.
The seven-year-old subsequently sustained a tendon injury, leaving the stable facing a race against time to get him fit enough to run in this year’s renewal.
Given the doubts surrounding Without A Fight’s participation this year, it is little wonder that Only Racing betting sites are keeping a close on the Freedman stable at the moment.
Only Racing provides comprehensive brand reviews of all the leading betting sites in the Australian market, along with the added value of free horse racing tips.
The platform will be inundated with visitors over the next few weeks as punters strive to find out whether the Freedman yard will have another fancied runner in the Melbourne Cup.
Point King recently emerged as a possible contender after impressing on his first run for the stable after leavingRepublic of Ireland handler Joseph O’Brien.
The son of Zoffany romped to a 3.75-length victory at Moonee Valley to spark talk that he could be aimed at the Melbourne Cup in November.
Point King’s owners believe he could be competitive in the Melbourne Cup, although Sam Freedman attempted to keep a lid on expectations after his victory.
“Credit to Lloyd and Nick (Williams) – both of them said the handicapper got his mark wrong leading into that race, and they were dead right,” Freedman said. “He was dominant down in the weights.
“He has got some scope to get to a pretty good level, I would say. “Whether he’s capable of getting to a Cup or something like that, we will just wait and see, but his form is obviously a mile-and-a-half and beyond. I wouldn’t rule out that he can get to a good race.”
While Point King was undoubtedly impressive at Moonee Valley, it is worth noting that his previous form in Europe does not point to him winning the Melbourne Cup.
He finished a well-beaten eighth behind Vauban in the Copper Horse Handicap at the 2023 Royal Ascot meeting, which suggests he needs to improve to win at Flemington Racecourse.
Vauban was the favourite for last year’s Melbourne Cup, but failed miserably to live up to expectations under jockey Ryan Moore.
Willie Mullins’ talented dual-purpose performer is on course for another tilt at the big race after a recent victory at York, and Point King will not find it easy to reverse the Ascot form.
While Point King does not appeal as a likely winner of the Melbourne Cup, the same cannot be said for stablemate Post Impressionist.
The former William Haggas trained horse won the Group 3 Manion Cup on his debut in Australia and has subsequently run a decent race to finish fourth at Flemington.
Post Impressionist claimed ninth place in the Ebor Handicap at York last year, but would have finished closer to winner Absurde with a clearer run.
Absurde ran well to finish seventh in the Melbourne Cup last year, and Post Impressionist could better that result if he continues to improve with the Freedman stable.
“It was an okay run in a funny race up in the weights and he hadn’t run for some time,” Freedman added. “He had a good blow afterwards and his coat still hasn’t come.
“He has got a bit of improvement to come through spring. I wouldn’t rule out he can get to a good race.”