Jason Warren is looking for Freereturn to bounce back to winning form at Flemington and book a place in the Winter Championship Final.
Freereturn stormed through the grades last year then resumed with a first-up Moonee Valley win in March to earn a shot at stakes company.
The gelding placed at Listed level at Caulfield in April but two unplaced runs since prompted Warren to freshen him up and target Saturday’s Winter Championship Series Heat 6 (1420m) at Flemington.
“I just felt that he didn’t show the sprint he usually shows last time out, although it was still a good run,” Warren said of Freereturn, who was a last start fifth over 1400m at Flemington.
“I just think he’s a little bit better than that, so I freshened him up and he has freshened up really nicely.
“He had a jumpout last week at Mornington and was nice and sharp.”
Warren said Saturday’s performance would determine immediate plans for Freereturn with the Winter Championship Series Final (1600m) at Flemington on July 7 on the agenda.
“If he runs one-two on Saturday and looks like he’ll get a mile then we’ll definitely have a crack at the final,” Warren said.
“I think he would have to run one or two to think you’d be a chance in the final.”
Freereturn is on the second line of TAB Sportsbet markets at $6 behind last start winner There’s Only One ($4) from the Peter Moody stable.
Since joining Warren’s team last year after having his first five starts for trainer Mike Moroney, Freereturn has notched seven wins from 12 starts.
“The thing is he is now very high in the ratings,” Warren said.
“We placed him to win and he went through the grades but now he’s just about at the top of his ability.
“Listed level is about his mark.”
Meanwhile, the Mark Webb-trained Johannapine is favoured to take out Heat 8 of the All Victorian Sprint Series (1000m).
The talented mare was at $2.30 with TAB Sportsbet on Thursday ahead of Alpha Proxima ($7) who will be shooting for his third straight win.
